POLICE were called to a Bexley school after large-scale fighting broke out among pupils.

The officers attended Bexleyheath School, Woolwich Road, Bexleyheath, at just after 11am on September 21 and found a large group of pupils fighting in the playground.

A parent whose son was involved in the incident said a member of staff had told him it was the worst violence he had ever experienced.

The father said he understood fighting had broken out between groups of black boys and white boys following an organised fight between two boys.

He claimed members of the RA and T-Block gangs were involved in the violence.

The man said he accepted his teenage son could be expelled from the school but said he wanted to be sure all of those involved - black and white - would be treated equally.

He added: "Otherwise, the school will just end up becoming a recruiting sergeant for the RA and the British National Party, because of the resentment caused."

The new headteacher at the school, Paul O'Brien, told News Shopper staff quickly intervened to bring the situation under control when fighting broke out during the school's morning break.

He said staff had then isolated those involved in the fighting so the rest of the school could resume lessons.

Mr O'Brien explained senior staff had carried out an initial investigation into what had happened and, at the end of that day, had temporarily excluded six pupils from school.

A more detailed investigation was organised, including interviews with the pupils involved, with their parents present.

Mr O'Brien says all the evidence is now with him and he has made it clear to all the boys if he feels it is justified, he will recommend a series of punishments to the school governors, including permanent exclusion from the school.

Bexley police say none of those involved were arrested.