AN off-duty policeman was assaulted by a gang of teenage girls after trying to break up a fight outside a cinema.

Gareth Squance was beaten outside the Vue cinema at Woodside Leisure Park, Garston, near Watford.

He was with his pregnant wife when he was attacked by a gang of drunken teenagers.

The Met officer said he was standing in a queue for tickets when he heard a commotion outside.

He said he saw gangs of youths attacking each other. After identifying himself by flashing his warrant card, the 26-year-old was set upon.

"Staff merely watched as I was attempting to restrain the girls," Mr Squance said, "One of the girls punched me in the face while I had two detained.

"I asked people to call for assistance but no one responded.

"The situation then escalated and about 40 teenagers became involved in a fracas outside the cinema. I don't know how many of them attacked me."

Mr Squance managed to break away from the mob and back inside the cinema. After local police arrived he arrested a girl.

But he blasted cinema staff for doing nothing about the incident. He said they were unsupportive and unhelpful.

A Vue spokesman said: "The safety of our customers and staff is of paramount importance to us."