The top police officer in Epping Forest has blamed “hot weather” for the latest early hours fight outside a nightclub.

District commander Chief Inspector Denise Morrissey said high temperatures meant people are staying out for longer, leading to the potential for violent incidents.

People described seeing blood spattered on the ground after the latest brawl in Loughton, outside Nu Bar night club at around 1.20am on Sunday morning.

Three men were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and an 18-year-old man with head injuries was hospitalised and later discharged following the fight.

Chief Insp. Morrissey said: “Following this incident we have had positive engagement with Nu Bar who are continuing to help us with our enquiries.

“Sadly the mixture of alcohol and hot weather, meaning people are often out for longer, can mean that things can escalate and on occasions people may get hurt.

“We consistently monitor what is an ever changing picture and run operations specifically aimed at targeting our vibrant night time economy.”

The assault at Nu Bar came less than a week after Essex Police claimed night-time economy crime in Epping Forest has dropped by more than 20 per cent in the last year.