Gang attacks eight in Duke Bar

Police said the assaults on Sunday morning in Duke Bar, Burnley, were "outrageous" incidents of "gratuitous violence" and that "we are lucky not to be dealing with a death".

The attackers, all believed to be in their late teens to early twenties kicked, punched and used weapons on eight people in three separate incidents.

Officers said that at this stage they believed the attacks were linked as in each occasion the victims were asked for a light for a cigarette.

A man has been arrested in connection with the attacks and he was last night being questioned by detectives.

In the worst incidents, a man's jaw was broken and another received hospital treatment after he was hit repeatedly with a golf club.

The first attack happened at 4.15am in the back street off Barden Lane when two 22-year-old men were approached by a gang of teenagers.

They asked for a cigarette but then one youth punched one of the victims while another youth then attacked the other victim.

A 20-year-old man was taken to hospital with a suspected broken jaw.

A man then had his mobile phone and wallet stolen in Briercliffe Road, before the final incident at 5.45am in Rakehead recreational ground, Towneley Street.

Five teenagers were approached by a group of youths and the attackers used weapons including golf clubs to repeatedly hit their victims who were left with severe bruising and head injuries.

The attackers are described as white and mixed race in their late teens to early twenties wearing hooded jumpers and track suits.

Detective Inspector Sam Birtwell said:"We cannot rule of the possibility of the attacks being linked as they all happened in a similar area with only a short interval between each attack.

"This behaviour is outrageous, totally unprovoked assaults are gratuitous violence.

"We are lucky we are not dealing with a death."

Mr Birtwell appealed for anyone with information to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.