Police intervened swiftly in St. George's last night to stop a fight that was about to break-out between a gang of youths armed with baseball bats.

Two squad cars, with four officers, rushed to Tolaram's store on Duke of York Street around 6.30 p.m. after reports that a dozen youths were ready to fight.

St. George's residents are becoming increasingly vocal over plans to move the Police station to St. David's, saying there is a need to have officers based in the heart of the Old Town because of the persistent threat of hooliganism from youths who gather there.

A Police spokesman said last night: "The youths were gathered on Duke of York Street and they did not fight, but they were armed with baseball bats. They dispersed and Police defused the situation before anything more serious occurred."