Police sealed off a quiet residential street in Aberdeen yesterday following reports of a disturbance.
Officers descended on Summerhill Drive – cordoning off an area in front of the local shops – to investigate a “potential assault”.
Neighbours reported hearing a fracas sometime after midnight.
A police spokesman said the force had closed the street after receiving a call at 6.25am.
He added: “I cannot release any more details as the investigation is ongoing.”
Forensic officers were seen examining the area while uniformed officers carried out door-to-door inquiries.
Drops of blood splattered the pavement directly in front of the shops.
One neighbour said: “We were in bed and we heard a lot of noise. It sounded like heaps of people outside having a big fight.
“When I woke up this morning there were police cars everywhere. They had forensic officers labeling evidence and they were sweeping up glass off the road.
Another local resident said the area had been “absolutely swarming with police cars”.
She added: “There were at least eight of them and the street was all taped off.
“The police said it was nothing to worry but this is a quiet area so we don’t usually see any trouble.”
Another neighbour said he heard shouting and noise around 1am.
He said: “I was in my bedroom and I heard lots of noises and people shouting.
“When I looked out I saw a group of people in front of the shops.
“They were shouting at other people further down the road. I could hear them but I couldn’t see them.
“I think it was all pretty much finished by the time I looked out.
“Then it went quiet and people started to disperse.
“This morning the police arrived and taped off the whole area.
“They came to the door looking for specific descriptions of people who had been there.
“This is the first time I have heard any trouble here. It is a nice, quiet area.”