A POLICE helicopter circled overhead and officers used CS spray when they were assaulted outside a quiet backstreet pub.

Officers were surrounded after they were called to a “disturbance” close to the Hanbury Arms in Linton Street, near New North Road, Islington.

They called for back-up and vans full of officers sped to the scene to deal with what one witness described as a “proper riot”.

One woman, who was having a drink with a colleague in the Hanbury Arms last Thursday, said a family who had been drinking at a wake were involved in the incident.

“The family were giving as good as they got but the police were also being quite aggressive,” she told the Tribune. “The next thing I know the police helicopter is overhead and there are loads of police cars.”

It is believed that officers had been attending a domestic incident in Arbon Court, Linton Street, before fighting started at 7.30pm.

“There was lots of pushing and shoving and shouting,” the woman said. “To me it seemed a bit of an overreaction but I suppose if the officers feel under threat then they will send for extra resources. I was really surprised because it’s a nice, quiet part of Islington.”

None of the violence occurred within the pub itself, a staff member said.

Another witness said: “They were middle aged and the men were all in black suit and ties. They had been drinking all afternoon and they were squaring up to each other. The women were screaming.” Police “deployed” CS spray to disperse the crowd, who were under control within half an hour.

Some of the officers were assaulted, though none sustained injuries.

Six people were held – including a man police initially attended to arrest – on suspicion of a variety of offences including public order and assault.

The Met had not provided an update as the Tribune went to press last night (Thursday).

Officers from Central North Command continue to investigate the circumstances.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101.