Operation Big Fat Gypsy Bare-knuckle Fight: Dozens of armed officers, dogs, a helicopter and EIGHTEEN police cars raid a Fight Club-style boxing match after violence breaks out among hundreds of travellers

• .Around 500 travellers thought to have attended illegal boxing match on Staffordshire industrial estate yesterday
• .Nearby residents heard gunfire at the site after groups travelled from around the country to watch fight
• .Police dispatched 18 police cars, armed officers in full body armour and a force helicopter to the scene
• .'Significant number of weapons seized' after reports of knives and baseball bats being carried by spectators
• .Shocked locals witnessed bitter argument in the street between travellers who piled out of two transit vans
• .Travellers refused to reveal exactly what happened after the fight, but one said: 'Let's just say "bang bang".'

By RICHARD SPILLETT FOR MAILONLINE

Scores of armed police in full body armour shut down an industrial estate in Staffordshire yesterday after reports an illegal bare-knuckle boxing match between gypsies had boiled over into a brawl at which guns, knives and baseball bats were wielded.

Firearms officers, 18 police cars and a force helicopter were deployed as trouble erupted after hundreds of travellers, who had come from Ireland and around Britain, turned up to watch the underground fight.

Staffordshire Police said they received calls from members of the public who said gunfire was heard following the fight at Parkhouse Industrial Estate, in Chesterton, north of Stoke-on-Trent.

Shots were reported to have been fired between two vehicles following the Fight Club-style boxing event shortly after midday, with claims spectators turned up with baseball bats and knives.

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Staffordshire police dispatched 18 police cars to the scene as well as armed officers and a helicopter following reports of gunfire

Police said a 'significant number of weapons' were seized in the post-fight raid, in which officers cordoned off the site.

Julie Nelson, who works at APC Pick Up Services on the estate, told MailOnline: 'A Range Rover came down the road at full pelt, followed by two transit vans which people said had gypsies in them. They stopped in the road and had a heated argument. They got out of their vans and were arguing.

'There was a police helicopter over the estate for about two hours. People were quite worried, what with armed police and dogs around. It's not the sort of thing you expect in Chesterton.'

Joe Joyce, a 23-year-old Irish traveller, who went to Staffordshire especially for the boxing match, said: 'We came to support one of the fighters who won.

'It was an organised event that attracted more than 400 people. It is illegal and the police didn't know anything about it. They wouldn't have let it happen if they had known.

'There were no problems during the fight but an incident happened afterwards and they made everyone leave. Let's just say "bang bang".'

Another gypsy, Bryan Parker, 24, travelled from Ireland to Staffordshire and was staying in the area for three days for the event.

He said: 'We came here for the sport and to support one of the fighters. It's a big event that almost 500 people went to. There's a gypsy camp nearby but we stayed in a hotel. Something happened after the fight but I can't talk about it.' 

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Police cordoned off the area after being called to reports of gunfire following a gypsy boxing match in Chesterton, Staffordshire

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Armed officers with police dogs came in full body armour after the 999 call and seized 'a significant number of weapons'

A force spokesman said: 'Police were first called by members of the public concerned about the way in which certain vehicles were being driven on the A34 near Parkhouse. The witnesses reported seeing weapons such as baseball bats and bladed weapons.

'Due to the information received armed officers were deployed, along with the force helicopter and dog support, to an area in the Parkhouse Industrial Estate after receiving reports of disorder at the location.

'Although the exact details of what has happened are under investigation, we can confirm there has been an incident involving a group of travellers. At this time there are no reported injuries and it is unclear if shots had been fired.'

Police said they carried out a detailed search of the group of people and vehicles and a significant amount of weapons were recovered. The area was cordoned off to ensure the public's safety.

Officers were also given additional search powers, under Section 60 of the Public Order Act, to aid their work because of the potential threat of violence.

Chief Inspector Neil Hulme, who led the operation, said: 'We did everything we could to keep everyone safe. The safety of the general public, officers and those involved was a priority.

'Although we have yet to establish exactly what has happened and who is involved, we believe those responsible are known to each other through the travelling community. We had additional patrols in the area to keep the local community safe.'

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Travellers who went to the fight, some of whom came from Ireland, said there was 'an incident' afterwards but refused to give details