A man was left bleeding on the ground after being assaulted with a hammer early Sunday morning.
Police were called to the chaotic street scene at the Hastings Clock Tower at about 1am after a group of people were fighting.
Senior Sergeant Dan Foley, of police Eastern District Command Centre, said police believed there had been an attack with a hammer which left one person in the group injured.
A police spokeswoman said witnesses reported that the man on the ground had head injuries and received first aid treatment at the scene.
Witnesses then chased one man who was involved in the fight towards Bunnings car park but he was unable to be caught.