Police were called to Grays rail station yesterday afternoon to reports of an alleged acid attack between youths.

A glass bottle was hurled at the entrance of the station during the disturbance, which was later found to be ‘unsuspicious’ police confirmed today.

No-one was believed to be hurt in the incident, but an ambulance was called to attend to a member of staff in his 30s who was suffering breathing problems.

The staff member’s breathing problems were determined to not be connected to the liquid in the bottle.

British Transport Police Essex tweeted yesterday at 5pm: "Officers are @c2c_Rail #Grays following reports of a large group fight and a bottle with an unknown toxic liquid being thrown in the station."

British Transport Police tweeted again at 7pm: “Specialist officers were deployed to @c2c_Rail #Grays as a precaution & the station is safe. CID officers have already started enquiries.”

The entrance and exit on the Southend-bound side of the station was sealed off for the remainder of the evening.

A spokeswoman for British Transport Police said officers had been called twice to the station during the disturbance.

She said: “We were first called about a fight at 5.24pm, so officers did a search but didn’t find anyone.

“Police were then called again about a bottle being thrown and on attending they found a glass liquid container smashed on the floor outside the station.

“Officers carried out tests on the contents of the container and concluded that this was not suspicious.

“A member of staff had been taken to hospital after feeling unwell. He was later discharged as it was determined that this was unconnected to the liquid container.”

Essex Police confirmed their officers also attended the scene and said British Transport Police were dealing with the incident.

Business owners in the station area expressed concerns about gangs coming down from London after the incident.

One business owner, who did not wish to be named, said: “It’s scary. We don’t feel good about what’s been going on here recently.

“It’s been two years now that it’s been like this, and I worry for my family’s safety.

“It seems there’s no CCTV and that’s why there’s more gangs.

“The gangs come from Barking and London and that’s why they’re always causing problems now. The Barking gangs come here and they bring their business, and the local boys don’t like it.

“There’s now about five gangs around the area. It’s scary.

“They’re dealing in the car parks. We need neighbourhood CCTV and anti-social behaviour CCTV.

“They got worse recently. Someone tried to steal a drink the other day and when I stopped him, he showed me a knife. I have got my family here so I let him have it.

“It’s drugs, junkies."

A spokesman for C2C said: “We are working with transport police and passing them CCTV footage from the station and we will continue to help where requested.”

All entrances to the station re-opened this morning as normal.