A GANG of teens armed with knives, baseball bats and screwdrivers “swarmed” a playpark, reportedly leaving children in floods of tears.

Police rushed to Grantham Green in Eastleigh following reports of large groups of teenagers fighting near a playpark.

Officers stopped and searched a number of young people in the area after the incident on Tuesday afternoon.

As part of their enquiries, police conducted a thorough search of the green and found a screw driver, mountain bike, baseball bat, tennis racket, kitchen knife and metal bar.

Eastleigh resident Sophie Bench, 33, said: “They had balaclavas and hoods on so you could only see their eyes. They were raising weapons at each other. There must have been around 30 of them. I do not let my kids go out to the park alone.

One Parnell Road resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “I saw a swarm of kids running around in the park. There were two groups of teenagers chasing each other around. They had baseball bats and long metal poles. They were screaming and swearing. I saw everyone scoop their children up and run away – a lot of people were shaken up.”

Another resident added: “I was in the park walking my dog when a group of teens came running towards me. They were wearing hoods, masks and bandanas. They were carrying knives and bats.

“It was a shock. I grabbed my dog and ran away and I felt extremely threatened. There was a group of children in the play park having a birthday party who had to be whisked away.”

A police spokesperson said: “We were called at 4.44pm on Tuesday, September 17 to a report of two large groups fighting on Grantham Green.

“Carrying weapons of any kind will not be tolerated.

“Those found to be carrying weapons will be dealt with robustly.

“No one has been reported injured at this time.”

Anyone with any information is urged to call police on 101 quoting crime reference 44190332199.