POLICE are hunting for about 15 teenagers after they became embroiled in a mass brawl inside a Burger King restaurant.

Officers say they are "actively pursuing" those involved in the shocking incident which happened at the Goldstone Retail Park, Hove, at about 6.30pm on Monday.

Footage circulated on social media showed a large group of flailing youths pushing, shoving and throwing punches at one another inside the fast food chain.

At one point, a voice coming from behind the camera can be heard claiming that one of the group is carrying a hammer.

The Argus:

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "Officers were called to a disturbance inside a Burger King restaurant involving about 15 teenagers at Goldstone Retail Park just after 6.30pm on Monday.

"One of the suspects may have been in possession of a weapon and one teenager was assaulted.

"Police are investigating a number of lines of enquiry to identify those involved."

After initial investigations, Detective Inspector Ian Still said it is not believed the event was pre-planned and it is being treated as an isolated incident.

He said: "This behaviour and disorder will not be tolerated and we are actively pursuing the individuals involved in this.

"We want to hear from anyone who witnessed the assault, has any mobile phone footage of the incident or has any information to assist us.”

The Argus:

Anyone who can assist officers with their enquiries is being asked to report any information they have on the incident online, or by calling 101 quoting reference 117 of 26/10.

A spokesman for Burger King said: “The safety of Burger King staff and customers is our number one priority.

“We are aware of an incident that took place at our Old Shoreham Road restaurant last night and we are working with the authorities to conduct a full investigation.

“Burger King UK in no way condones behaviour of this kind in any of its restaurants.”