Female detective assaulted, five arrested after Cronulla brawl

Five people have been arrested after a brawl involving up to 20 people broke out in Sydney's south.

Police said officers made the arrests after they came upon about 15 to 20 people fighting near a shopping mall in Cronulla about 8.30pm.

A female detective was assaulted trying to break up the fight and was taken to hospital for treatment of a facial injury.

The five arrested were being interviewed by police.

The other brawlers were "moved on" by officers, police said.