BRAWLING school children caused a disturbance outside a shopping parade in Colchester.

Police were called to Iceni Way after reports of dozens of students from Philip Morant School and Alderman Blaxill School had become involved in a fracas.

Witnesses said the youngsters were trying to get into a flat after an alleged attack on another pupil.

A woman who called the police, but did not want to be named, said: “Five police cars, one riot van and the dog unit turned up, followed by a senior member of staff from one of the schools later.”

A shop worker at Heart 2 Heart Balloons said: “There were lots of children about until the police turned up and they scattered.

“They were trying to get into a flat above where someone lives.

“People were saying they came from Philip Morant to get a kid from Alderman Blaxill who had beaten someone up.”

Police confirmed they were called to a disturbance, but no one was arrested.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We were contacted shortly after 3.30pm on Thursday following reports a large number of schoolchildren had congregated outside a block of flats.

“Officers spoke to the children before contacting the headteacher of one of the schools, who stated they would speak to their pupils about their behaviour.

“The children dispersed at 4pm.”

Rob James, headteacher at Phillip Morant, confirmed he had been called.

He said: “Staff went over to see if they could help and police were there already.

“The police have provided us with a crime reference number, but to my knowledge there has been no follow up to the incident.”