Police were confronted by a hostile crowd of up to 200 people when a mass brawl broke out at the Medway Maritime Hospital social club.

One teenager at the party suffered serious head injuries at the height of the violence.

A teenage girl was later charged with criminal damage and assaulting a police officer.

Three other teenagers were arrested the following day on suspicion of assault.

Afterwards a man claiming to be a special constable who was called to the scene posted a message praising paramedics for helping police control the angry mob as tempers flared.

He wrote: “I am extremely thankful to these paramedics who without their assistance would have likely resulted in further injuries to officers.”

The club is on hospital grounds at the Gillingham site but can be hired out privately. The hospital trust said it was helping police.

A 17-year-old boy suffered serious head injuries after the fight broke out at the club, which is on the hospital site in Windmill Road, Gillingham, and he is still in hospital being treated for his injuries.

The violent incident only came to light after it was posted on social media by someone believed to be a special constable with Medway Police and also by a trainee paramedic who had been at the club with colleagues.

Police say they arrested a 17-year-old woman on Saturday, shortly after the fight.
The teenager, who cannot be named, will appear in court next month after being charged with criminal damage and assault on a police officer.

Three others, an 18-year-old man and two other teenagers aged 15 and 16 were arrested on suspicion of assault, but have been bailed pending inquiries.

A tweet revealing the incident stated: “Let’s get this message out there!”

The message then suggests it has been written by a special constable working in the Towns and goes on to say: “Just want to share a story of a job I attended last night where the thin green [paramedics] line stepped in to help the thin blue line.”

The message revealed that the officer and his colleagues were sent to the social club after reports of about 30 people fighting, but when there they were confronted by 150 to 200 people showing hostility to the police.

The writer said: “One female assaulted one of us and resisted arrest which led to the rest of the crowd surrounding us, pushing us and leading to the priority button being pressed.”

The man then describes how eight paramedics ran towards the club and didn’t hesitate to help support the officers in controlling the melee.

He added: “I am extremely thankful to these paramedics who without their assistance would have likely resulted in further injuries to officers.”

On the social club’s Facebook page the club describes itself as having a friendly atmosphere to have a drink with friends or even to celebrate any occasions from birthdays to leaving dos.

Health chiefs at the hospital, which is managed by Medway NHS Foundation Trust, said they were helping police.

"I am extremely thankful to these paramedics who without their assistance would have likely resulted in further injuries to officers" - the police 'special'

The spokesman added: “Medway NHS Foundation Trust can confirm there was an incident on Friday, October 16, on the hospital grounds.The police are investigating and we are helping them with their ongoing inquiries.”

A police spokesman said: “We were called at 9.19pm on Friday, October 16, to a report of a disturbance involving a large group of people in Windmill Road, Gillingham, and officers attended to disperse the crowd.

“A 17-year-old suffered serious head injuries in the incident and remains in hospital.

“An 18-year-old man and two boys aged 16 and 15 were arrested the following day on suspicion of assault and released on bail pending inquiries until December 17.

“Officers also arrested a 17-year-old girl, who has since been charged with criminal damage and assaulting a police officer.

“She has been bailed to appear at Medway youth court on Tuesday, November 10.”

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