Guests forced to flee a holiday park on Christmas Eve after it descended in drunken chaos have described how mass fighting left "blood everywhere". Armed police were called to Welcome Family Holiday Park in Dawlish Warren, Devon, after reports of thefts, anti-social behaviour and brawling.
Many families who had booked in for Christmas bundled their children, presents and food into their cars and fled during the night. Armed police, dog units and a police helicopter were all sent to deal with the incident and officers remain on the scene.
One witness told DevonLive: "I noticed trouble brewing yesterday (Christmas Eve) afternoon when I walked to the local shop where the store assistant said lads had been in and out stealing. They were very intimidating. Some stolen items even fell out of one lad’s pockets in the shop - but he refused to pay for them.
"Unusually, I saw three police cars circling the area - this was about 4pm. You don’t normally see any police cars here. This time of year the place is usually very quiet. I saw one surly-faced yobbo repeatedly booting a full beer can down the street and he was joined by a group of rowdy-looking lads.
"I had a feeling things might escalate. However, I can’t say it was the same group of people involved in trouble later, on Christmas Eve. But the police had clearly already been made aware there was a risk of something happening. What a pity events turned to violence and innocent family holidaymakers have now had their Christmas ruined.
"The louts I saw in the afternoon seemed bent on trouble. I haven’t seen them in the area before. I hope whoever was responsible has been turned away from their accommodation - they deserve to have their festivities and enjoyment curtailed too."
Another neighbour added: "I live next door to the Welcome Park, and those screams were blood-curdling last night. It is not an infrequent event, as there were police on the park due to a separate incident the previous night. They continued: "They have ruined my children's Christmas who were unable to sleep due to police and helicopters being present on scene. I didn't get to sleep until 4am, having been woken up by the horrifying screams of guests."
Posts on social media also revealed the terrifying nature of the unrest. One holidaymaker posted on Facebook: "Bleady awful. We left last night, kids are all heartbroken and as are we as it ruined our Christmas eve frantically packing to leave and get home.
"We are glad we left when we did last night and all the respectful children who have lost out on their holiday like us still enjoy today the best they can. Some horrific people in the world there really is, to see staff emotional and upset also was heartbreaking."
Others staying at the park reported being kept awake until the early hours of the morning by shouting and fights. Another person at the park said on social media: "We came home yesterday morning we were kept all night fighting blood everywhere. Smashing stuff up. So so bad."
Another person said: "My friend, her husband and her children had to flee from this site at midnight with all their presents, dinner and personal belongings had to be left. Absolutely awful seeing them earlier, kids think Santa forgot them. Heartbreaking."
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said yesterday: "There was significant disorder at the Welcome Family Holiday Park in Dawlish Warren during the early hours of December 25. Police are investigating a GBS [Grievous Bodily Harm] related to the disturbance. Police presence in the area will remain highly visible for the next 24 hours to respond to community concerns."
