EIGHT people arrested during a gang brawl in Colchester have been released without charge.

Armed police swarmed into Colchester after reports of someone waving a gun around inside and outside a flat in Vineyard Street.

They arrived, and the area, including Queen Street, was cordoned off.

A large fight had broken out with five people injured and two taken to hospital, including one woman whose face and arms were slashed with a knife.

Nine people were arrested on suspicion of assault and affray.

Essex Police confirmed all except one have been released from bail with no further action taken.

One man was bailed again until next month on suspicion of assault and affray following the incident on Sept 18.

The force was asked to explain the decision, but did not reply.