[Cherie]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49137520

Plates and furniture were reportedly used as weapons after a mass brawl broke out on a British cruise ship.

Six people were hurt as P&O's Britannia sailed to Southampton after a week-long trip to Norway's fjords, police said.

Good Morning Britain journalist Richard Gaisford, who was on board, said he had been told the incident was sparked by a passenger taking offence at another holidaymaker dressed as a clown.

A man and a woman in their 40s have been arrested on suspicion of assault.

Writing on Twitter, Mr Gaisford said he first became aware of the trouble when an emergency tannoy was made in the early hours of Friday for security staff to attend Britannia's 16th floor restaurant.

"Witnesses told me they were so frightened they had to hide, as family groups fought," he said.

'Violent confrontation'
The people suspected of being behind the violence were confined to a cabin for the last day of the cruise, Mr Gaisford said.

He said the violence occurred after a black-tie evening and an afternoon of "patriotic" partying on deck, when large amounts of alcohol were consumed.

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Richard Gaisford
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@richardgaisford
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The buffet area was immediately sealed off as medical teams went to help the injured. Staff told me they’d never experienced anything like it and those behind the violence were confined to a cabin for the last day of the cruise, waiting for police here in Southampton.

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He said one witness "explained to staff that things kicked off when another passenger appeared dressed as a clown. This upset one of their party because they'd specifically booked a cruise with no fancy dress. It led to a violent confrontation."

A P&O Cruises spokesman said: "Following an incident on board Britannia on Thursday evening we can confirm that all guests have now disembarked and the matter is now in the hands of the local police."

Hampshire Police said its officers attended the ship when it docked in Southampton and investigations are ongoing.

A police spokeswoman said: "The incident took place during the early hours of Friday, 26 July, on board P&O's Britannia while it was en route to Southampton from Bergen."

She said three men and three women were assaulted, with their injuries including significant bruising and cuts.

The two people arrested - a man aged 43 and a 41-year-old woman, both from Chigwell, Essex - are in police custody.