Group branded 'covidiots' after 20 involved in mass brawl on streets of Lutonn during lockdown

Appalled witnesses in the Sheridan Road captured the brawl on camera and published it on social media in a bid to shame those responsible.

The fight broke out at at 5.40pm and is thought to be between two rival gangs. Some of them arrived in cars.

The video, which has attracted more than 20,000 views on Facebook and Twitter, shows some of the men armed with sticks and beating each other. One man appears to be struck in the face with a bottle.

Police were called by residents but no arrests were made, It is no known whether any penalty fines for breaking lockdown rules were issued.

Detective Chief Inspector Aaron Kiff said: "We received reports of a large disorder in the Sheridan Road and Argyll Avenue area of Luton at on Sunday, April 12."

He added: "This sort of incident is unacceptable at any time but in the current climate is unbelievably reckless and will not be tolerated.

"Serious violence has no place in Bedfordshire and we are determined to take enforcement action against those involved as well as tackling its root causes such as gangs and the drugs market.."

DC Kiff said government funding to tackle serious violence has enabled police to run more than 100 patrols targeting gang hotspots.

"We are also investing in the Bedfordshire Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit alongside our partner agencies such as local authorities and health," he added.

Members of the public were more blunt in their opinion.

"Twenty people are not only being violent in the street but flouting every lockdown and social distancing rule in the book. They are clearly idiots and they should be arrested and locked up," said one man,

Police are now asking if anybody can identify the men on the video.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police online or via 101. If you wish to stay anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.