The main street of Aberdeenshire’s biggest town was sealed off by police yesterday following an early morning fracas outside a nightclub.
The incident, which left a man badly hurt, took place at Peterhead’s Mambos nightclub shortly after 3am.
A 47-year-old man was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary by ambulance following the disturbance.
Police closed the town’s Queen Street to both pedestrians and traffic for around 12 hours while inquiries got underway.
Blue and white police tape and traffic cones blocked off the street between the town’s sheriff court and the Timpson store.
Tape had also been drawn across the entrance to Mambos, where detectives could be seen closely inspecting the area.
Three uniformed police officers stood on duty throughout the day to prevent anyone gaining access to the usually busy street.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Alexander Dowall said police were carrying out inquiries into an incident at Mambos in the early hours but could not provide any further details about the circumstances.
He appealed for witnesses who had been in the area at around 3am on Sunday to come forward with information.
A spokesman for the ambulance service confirmed a man had been taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary from outside Mambos nightclub at 3.20am.
A spokesman for Mambos said he was unable to comment on the incident.
Queen Street remained closed until shortly before 3.30pm yesterday.
Most of the shops in the area are usually closed on Sundays, except for fish and chip shop Zanre’s, which normally opens at 10am.
Staff finally opened the doors at around 4.30pm after gaining access shortly after the street reopened.
Local resident Darren Carle, 36, said: “I was working a nightshift last night but I got off the bus at about 11am and the police were here and I had to speak to them before I could get into my flat.
“They couldn’t tell me anything about what had happened.”
The father-of-one added: “My partner heard a commotion at around 3am but that is not unusual on a Friday or Saturday night so she didn’t think any more about it.
“Our flat looks out the back rather than directly onto Queen Street so she wouldn’t have been able to see anything anyway.”
Queen Street resident Stacey Gillespie, 23, said: “I was sleeping so I didn’t realise anything had happened until I woke up this morning.
“I thought it was quieter than usual this morning and then I opened the curtains and saw the police.”
Peterhead North and Rattray councillor Alan Buchan had also heard news of the police activity.
He said last night: “I was aware that the police had cordoned off Queen Street between St Peter’s Street and Chapel Street but I don’t know anymore than that about what has happened.
“I wouldn’t read too much into them closing the street because it is standard procedure if it has been a crime scene.”
Anyone with information can contact police on 101.