AN AFRICAN man arrested for his involvement in an affray at Footscray last week escaped from the police’s clutches after a second fight erupted.

Police were called to a brawl between a group of African and Pacific Islander men in McNabb Ave around 12.10am last Tuesday, by which time the fight had spread out onto Nicholson St.

Police apprehended and handcuffed one of the African men near the Phoenix Youth Centre in Buckley St, who later escaped after another fight broke out in front of police. A further six people were arrested.