A POLICE officer had to be taken to hospital after violence erupted in Walthamstow Square.

Wood Street was paralysed last Friday afternoon as police flooded the area to deal with the disturbance, which took place in front of the post office.

The Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), part of the Wood Street Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT), was injured in scuffles with a mob of teenagers and young adults.

Six people, ranging from boys in their early teens to men in their mid-20s, were arrested for public order offences.

One eyewitness said: "I couldn't believe it. It looked like there was a riot going on. It was like they had all the police from Walthamstow, Chingford and Leytonstone down there.

"I only went out to buy a plunger - I didn't expect to see that."

Another witness counted 24 police vehicles in the area.

The crowd, reported to have been mainly pupils from Leytonstone School and Holy Family Catholic College, was first spotted at 3pm by wardens.

The council said the group was moved on for obstructing the pavement and potentially causing a public nuisance. A spokesman said the dispersal was quick and peaceful.

But by 4.40pm the crowd had returned.

A police spokeswoman said trouble flared when the SNT confronted the crowd while on patrol. The team was forced to call in reinforcements.

A local shopkeeper said: "The square was full of kids. It was unusual that there were so many.

"When the police came along, the kids aggravated the situation, shouting, being rude, making racist remarks. They were out of control.

"Police reacted very fast, within ten minutes. I don't think they overreacted. No one was respecting anyone out there. One man needed four coppers to hold him down."

The PCSO, 35, was injured in the knee and taken to Whipps Cross University Hospital.

Police do not yet know the nature of the injury or how it was sustained.

All those arrested were taken to Barkingside police station and have been bailed to return on April 22.

Anyone with information should call Waltham Forest CID on 8345 2447.

A SPOKESWOMAN for EduAction, which provides schools services in Waltham Forest, said: "Holy Family College and Leytonstone School contacted the police on Friday regarding rumours circulating in both schools.

"The schools liaised to ensure staff were extra vigilant, and no incidents occurred at the end of the school day.

"Later that evening, a police presence was in evidence in the area around Wood Street, where we understand a disturbance took place.

"Although a number of pupils were in the area, most of whom were travelling home from after-school clubs, no Leytonstone School or Holy Family College pupils were involved in the disturbance, and the police have now confirmed that the arrests were nothing to do with pupils from either school."