The social club at Medway Maritime Hospital has been closed following a mass brawl.

It comes after police were confronted by a hostile crowd of up to 200 people at the club in Gillingham.

A 16-year-old boy suffered serious head injuries and a girl of 17 was charged with criminal damage and assault on a police officer.

Three others, aged 15, 16 and 18, were arrested the following day on suspicion of assault.

Afterwards a man claiming to be a special constable posted a message praising paramedics for helping police control the angry mob as tempers flared at the venue, on hospital grounds in Windmill Road, last October.

It's now been revealed the club was shut shortly after the trouble because assurances could not be met that staff were stepping up security.

A Medway NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said: “Following a serious incident last year, we took the decision to close the social club.

“We did not receive sufficient assurance from the club there would be adequate security for managing crowds.

"The safety of our staff, patients and visitors is our main priority, which is why we had to make this difficult decision.”

"The safety of our staff, patients and visitors is our main priority, which is why we had to make this difficult decision" - Trust spokesman

This week, a police spokesman said the 17-year-old girl received a youth caution for both offences and an investigation was still ongoing.

The 15-year-old boy, 16-year-old boy and 18-year-old man remain under investigation.

The injured boy left hospital several weeks after the incident, but was said to need continued treatment.

Shortly after the incident the special constable wrote: “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. I am extremely thankful to these paramedics who without their assistance would have likely resulted in further injuries to officers.”

The message said the officer and his colleagues were confronted by 150 to 200 people showing hostility to the police.