Nuisance youths threatened to vandalise a school and tip over a barbecue as youngsters enjoyed a summer fete.
The organisers of the event at Kents Hill Junior School, in Benfleet, were forced to call the police after a gang of teenagers threatened to cause chaos.
Scores of people who visited the event watched in amazement as the drama unfolded on Saturday.
A spokeswoman for Essex Police said officers were called to the fete after receiving a call from a worried member of the school's staff.
The spokeswoman said: "The caller said the youths had threatened to tip the barbecue over, cause damage to property at the school and were refusing to leave."
Police managed to dissolve the situation peacefully after speaking to the headteacher and the youths, who then agreed to go.
A police spokeswoman said the school had not made a complaint.
Published Monday, June 9, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article