Warwick club, terrorising members during a malicious night-time attack.

Innocent people enjoying an evening at the PHC building on Middle Road ran for safety as the pack of around 15 youths brandishing weapons invaded the club shortly before 11.00 p.m on Monday.

Club members cowered behind the bar and in the bathrooms as they listened to the mob of youths viscously smash the bar and vehicles outside the club with baseball bats.

PHC president Chris Furbert said: "Vehicles were damaged and innocent bystanders were traumatised.'' Mr. Furbert arrived minutes after receiving a call informing him about the disturbance. He said that there were about ten or twelve people in the club when the incident happened.

He said: "They just couldn't believe it -- they were in disbelief.'' "I spoke to the bartender on duty and also to some people at the club when it happened. They said that around 10.30 pm about 15 or so young men came into the club with baseball bats and machetes.'' "The people in the bar dispersed into the bathrooms and behind the bar. Three cars and two bikes in the parking lot got damaged with baseball bats. The cars had their windshields and windows smashed.'' "I got here in time to sweep up some glass and drive some of the people home.

As a club operator, I'm really concerned. I can't believe that they would take their malicious intent out on the club. I'm thinking they were here looking for somebody. The Police told me that they started in Hamilton and worked their way up to PHC last night and were going to continue west. Whether or not they did I don't know.'' Police spokesman Coleman Easton said that reports of further incidents connected to the PHC disturbance have not been substantiated.

"It certainly appears to be gang-related,'' said Mr. Easton. "We have reports that up to 15 youths wearing masks entered PHC. We have not identified vehicles yet. The matter is currently being investigated.''