Up to 20 armed thugs armed with knives and bats fought in the street in Tipton and a cannabis farm was robbed.

Armed police were scrambled as a huge fight broke out in Horseley Heath, Tipton, just after 9pm last night (Monday, January 23).

The group had scattered before police arrived.

Officers then received reports of a cannabis factory being robbed raid less than a mile away.

It was not clear whether the two incidents were linked. Police said the property will be cleared and boarded up and that they are "working to address the issues that affect communities."

They added: "drugs have no place on our streets."

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said: "We were called after 15 to 20 people were seen fighting with knives and bats in Horseley Heath, Tipton.

"We immediately dispatched armed response officers, but the group had made off by the time they got there just a few minutes later.

"A short time later we received a further report of a cannabis factory above a fast food shop being robbed less than a mile away.

"Again armed response officers went to the location where they found a cannabis grow in four separate rooms.

"No-one was in the property but the door had been forced open.

"This will now be cleared and the address boarded up as our enquiries are on-going.

"We’re working hard to address the issues that affect communities and drugs have no place on our streets.

"This week is Neighbourhood Policing Week of Action and we’re highlighting the fantastic work that our neighbourhood officers, PCSOs, partners and volunteers do 365 days a year. As well as the local neighbourhood team, there are a whole range of other roles that are dedicated to looking after local communities."