POLICE in riot gear had to be called in when fighting broke out between ethnic groups.

The disturbance, involving foreign residents at a hostel for asylum-seekers, started yesterday afternoon.

Officers and dogs were drafted in to break up the fighting at the Hotel Adelphi, in Warrior Square, Hastings.

Three people were arrested but no one was injured.

Trained negotiators were last night trying to calm tensions down before relocating some of the people to a centre for asylum-seekers.

Following talks with Kent social services, 51 people were taken to be rehoused in Ashford, Kent.

Fighting broke out after an argument over queue-jumping in the dining room.

What started off as shouting between a handful of youngsters escalated until dozens of mainly teenage men were involved, including Kurds, Kosovans and Afghans.

Argument

Hotel manager Falko Przyborowski said: "This is something that turned potentially quite major over something as trivial as an argument in a meal queue.

"One of our main concerns is for the children staying here. It was important that we kept them away from any violence which was taking place between this group of young men."

Staff called police and dozens of officers entered the Regency building overlooking the square's gardens to contain the situation and try to split up any tension between rival groups.

Mr Przyborowski added: "A joint decision was made between us and the police that it would be for the best if those involved were moved out.

"Not all of those moved were involved, they were just sticking together."

The violence, which had continued on and off all afternoon, was finally quashed at about 6pm.

Officers escorted those being relocated to the coach one at a time. It finally pulled away at 6.45pm.

Hostel resident Pierre Tellely said: "The atmosphere is usually so happy here but now it is very sullen and quiet."

The hotel switched to cater mainly for asylum-seekers in April this year.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "We first heard there was a disturbance at about midday, but we were called back to contain the situation after violence erupted again later."

She added that some of the police were wearing riot gear and there were two trained dogs on the scene.

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