Three men stabbed at wake at Midday Sun - London

From the Croydon and Purley Advertiser

A "VENDETTA" within two warring Traveller communities led to three men being stabbed after a brawl during a wake at a pub.

The huge fight broke out, involving about 20 people, at the Midday Sun – described on its sign as a "family pub" – on Tuesday night, at about 7pm.

Three men, who all received hospital treatment for stab wounds, were arrested after the fight in the pub, on the Coulsdon-Chipstead border.

The pub is located within a few minutes' walk of two camps of local Travellers, who are the subject of a long-running feud.

One bar worker, who wished not to be named, said: "There was a big group of them [Travellers] already here and then some other men came in and that's when it kicked off.

"Some of them are regulars. It's a vendetta. There are two Gypsy camps round here who don't get on. But I suppose you don't really expect it in your local."

Another witness told the Advertiser there may have been as many as 30 or 40 people involved.

Ambulance crews, including three paramedics, and police were called to the scene just before 7pm to reports of a fight, involving multiple stabbings, between several men.

The pub, situated where Chipstead Valley Road becomes Outwood Lane on the B2032, was cordoned off throughout Wednesday morning but reopened by the evening. However, a strong police presence remained throughout Wednesday night, when the Advertiser witnessed around eight officers in two police cars escorting a man from one of the traveller camps on Rectory Lane.

A spokesman for Greene King, who own and manage the pub, said: "We are extremely upset about what happened and are doing everything we can to help police investigate the incident."

A Surrey Police spokesman said: "The incident took place just before 7pm following a wake at the location. Officers were called to the pub following a report of an altercation between a group of men but the suspects had left the scene on police arrival.

"Three men matching the description of the suspects were located.

"All three received hospital treatment to what are believed to be stab wounds before being arrested on suspicion of affray."

The three have been released on bail, to return to police in February.