A POLICEMAN was recovering in hospital yesterday after being injured trying to quell a drunken riot.

Up to 20 hooligans armed with pickaxe handles, golf clubs, bricks and bottles went on the rampage on York's Chapelfields estate, attacking property and cars.

Five youths were arrested during the three hours of mayhem, which began when a recovery lorry arrived to pick up a stolen car at about 10.30pm on Thursday.

The injured officer was the first to arrive on the scene and is believed to have suffered a severe ligament injury as he tried to arrest one youth.

Sergeant Colin Ventress said: "This was a serious incident of public disorder. When the first officers arrived on the scene, they were threatened with bricks and pickaxe handles.

"More officers were called and they were confronted by a group of young men and women. Several of the youths were later seen to take refuge in a nearby property where they were later arrested."