Neighbours were left in shock after a gang of armed men ran riot along a residential street in Chatham.

Witnesses were left 'trembling' after a car crash turned into a violent altercation in the middle of Walderslade Road on Friday evening.

Residents claimed that there were two groups of men involved in the incident who were armed with baseball bats, batons and hammers.

One neighbour, who wanted to remain anonymous said: "My daughter phoned me when it happened. She thought it was just an ordinary car crash but then she saw men running and a group of men chasing after them.

"They were wielding big metal bars and smashing the windscreen of a car.

"It was very violent and they just kept going.

"The violence of it was just horrific – they just did not care about what they were doing, it was broad daylight and they just did not mind at all.

"My daughter said 'Mum, I'm still trembling' and I was just in shock."

A witness, who did not want to be named said he saw the groups of men running down the road before calling the police.

He said: "There was a large bang and we went outside and saw two cars in the middle of the road that had crashed.

"We called the police but they took what felt like ages to get here and neighbours were already outside cleaning up the glass in the road.

"It just got so out of hand. There was no one else at risk. It's a normal thing to have a crash but I don't understand why they were armed."

Police confirmed they were called to a disturbance in Walderslade Road at 5.32pm yesterday.

They said two groups of men were involved in an altercation following a collision, and that during the altercation, a number of stationary vehicles were damaged.

One woman said: "It is worrying times. I am a woman on the edge.

"I don't even feel safe in my own home now.

"I just don't know what the world is coming to."

Since then two men have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 01634 792209 quoting 46/65066/19.

Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent anonymously on 0800 555111.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway is available by clicking here