Tension reigned in the Elliott Street and St. Monica's Mission areas last night following altercations on Elliott Street which drew dozens of police officers.

But Police, say some residents, left the scene too early to contain what they said was more trouble to come.

"We have the manpower in place such that we are prepared for whatever presents itself," insisted Police spokesperson Dwayne Caines.

The Royal Gazette was unable to ascertain exactly what happened when a reporter arrived at the scene at around 5.45 p.m.

Police however confirmed reports of some sources that a turf war between two rival groups erupted in the area earlier during the day. No one was immediately arrested but the Police blocked off Elliott Street between Princess and Court Street, ordered two men to remove their pit-bulls from the street, then left, said witnesses.

Shortly before 6 p.m. there was no visible police presence and the dozens of people who had gathered to watch the action dispersed shortly after.

The mood of the crowd was a mix of hostility and anxiety - with some bystanders openly threatening a reporter and others complaining that the Police should have acted more forcefully.

"If they (Police) come right now and saw a bag of weed, they will take all three of us in," said one man.

Two men patrolled Elliott Street with pit-bulls. The scene at the St. Monica's Mission area was equally tense, said observers.

Later last night a leading member of the Frontline Crew was seen in the St. Monica's area apparently doing what he could to quell the tensions.

Mr. Caines said that Police acting on intelligence later arrested three people. One of the young men was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.

We intend to make further arrests," he said.

"What we can ascertain at this point was that there was a dispute between individuals from the St. Monica's area and individuals from Court Street or what's commonly called the Frontline crew. It appears there was a dispute of some nature which resulted in youths from the 42nd Street (St. Monica's) crew coming down to Court Street and which resulted in several altercations."

Mr. Caines added Police were first called to Elliott Street around 3.30 p.m. and there were three subsequent calls. At its height the crowd was estimated at more than 100 people, he said.

"Police responded by cordoning off the areas to localise the troubled area. At around 6 p.m. the crowd started to disperse and at around 7 p.m. there were just about 30 people on Court Street. As of 9 p.m. Police had manned patrols at all key intersections in and around the Court Street area with a view to deal with any major occurrence that should arise."

About 50 officers were deployed after the incidents in an effort to contain any further violence, added Mr. Caines. Police resources included specialist units, the Police Support Unit along with Reserve Police officers and operational policing units for manning posts surrounding both the Court Street area and the St. Monica's Mission area.

The Police presence was at its peak between 4.45 p.m. and 5.15 p.m. when some 15 cars attended.

"What was taking place was that Police had to act in the best interest of public safety and officer safety. A command centre was set up and a plan was executed to ensure the best deployment of manpower and resources to the situation at hand."

He added that one man with lacerations to his face had refused medical attention.

The violence comes on the heels of last weekend's attacks on two taxis by a gang of masked motorcyclists at the Mid Atlantic Boat Club.