Eight police cars, a dog unit, riot van and ambulance caused gridlock in Maldon after a late afternoon brawl.
Police received numerous calls from concerned members of the public who saw topless men fighting and shouting at various locations in the High Street.
A fight had broken out earlier in a flat in the High Street, where men are believed to have attacked the resident with metal stands and smashed up the furniture.
Jan Fiddian, landlord of the Swan Hotel, said: “I have never seen that many police turn up before.
“People must have thought there had been a murder.”
Tanya Volynkina, Prezzo general manager, added: “There was an ambulance right outside our restaurant.
“It went on for about an hour but even so."
Four men, aged 28, 35, 21 and 25, have since been released on bail pending further enquiries until June 5 followng the incident on Saturday.
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