FIVE teenagers including three 13-year-olds have appeared in court after a mini-riot at Hayes train station.

Fighting broke out among 70 schoolchildren on the platform when police tried to arrest a youth.

Officers had only intended to speak to the teenager about an earlier incident but he became aggressive and resisted when they tried to handcuff him.

Dozens of teenagers jostled the police, shouting abuse before turning on one another in what one officer called a "bizarre turn of events".

Six police cars and a police van had to be called as back-up during the fight at 4pm last Wednesday.

An onlooker said: "The kids just went mad for about 15 minutes. It was like a riot, complete chaos."

A police spokesman said members of the public caught up in the trouble were "distraught".

CCTV footage from the platform has been collected for evidence.

The station is used regularly by commuters from Hayes and Keston and is the end of the main line providing a direct route through Beckenham.

It is not clear which school the youngsters arrested are from but a spokesman for Hayes School said: "We've been informed none of our students were involved."

Ward officer PC Chris Jones told News Shopper three weeks ago youth crime was on the increase in the area after a number of deadly weapons were found in the station forecourt.

Children as young as 11 hang around regularly outside the station in gangs up to 30 strong.

Traders have reported a drop in business as residents, especially the elderly, are afraid to go out after school hours.

Sean Fitzpatrick, who runs Crown Roast butchers, in Station Approach, said: "The end of the school day is now the end of trading as more people stay away."

The rise in crime was due to be discussed at Bromley Council's central area committee last night.

Police were due to attend to answer committee members' questions but no report was available beforehand.

Councillor Anne Manning, who represents the area and is a governor of Hayes School, said: "It's important for traders to be able to have their say." Rail firm Connex South Eastern says it is working closely with schools and British Transport Police to tackle crime and vandalism.

A spokesman said: "Because of the proximity to the live rails on the tracks, incidents like this are particularly worrying."

The youths three aged 13, one 14 and a 17-year-old were all charged with affray.