ANTI-GANG police raided a home in Basildon after a mass brawl at a McDonald’s restaurant sparked by a stolen bike.

Officers from Barking and Dagenham’s Gangs and Drugs Unit raided the address on July 19 and arrested a male.

Six other men and teenagers were arrested in Grays, Romford, Barking, Dagenham and Southwark following the incident in East Street, Barking, on June 8.

Police were called to the fast food outlet to break up a large fight involving a number of youths.

The fight began after a man turned up to reclaim a bicycle he believed had been stolen from his family in an earlier incident.

As he picked up the bike, which was lying on the pavement outside the restaurant, he was set upon by a number of males.

The victim, who was with other family members, including children, was then pursued by a number of youths.

During the resulting violence, stools from McDonalds were used as weapons.

DS Pete Sweetman, of Barking and Dagenham’s Gangs and Drugs Unit, said: “Gangs and the associated criminality will not be tolerated in Barking and Dagenham.

“Today’s arrests send out a strong message to those involved in serious youth violence that you will be identified and arrested to face the consequences of your actions.

“East Street and the surrounding area appears to attract a number of youths with links to gangs who are intent on causing disruption to law-abiding residents.

“In this specific incident, a family - including children - were subjected to a prolonged and vicious attack. Thankfully, they were not seriously injured.”

Two of those arrested are 18-years-old, one is a 34-year-old man and the others are aged 17, 16, 15 and 13 years. All were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.

Anyone with information is asked to call the gangs unit on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.