Riot police were called to south-east London after around 100 schoolchildren believed to have been armed with bats and knives were involved in a mass brawl.

Two teenagers were taken to hospital and seven were arrested after every available police officer within the area was sent to combat the violence on Monday evening.

Panicked residents locked themselves into their homes and shops as the youths, many of whom were wearing school uniforms, caused chaos on the streets of Bexley.