Arrests after police officers injured by drunken 'cowardly bullies'

Police Minister Judith Collins visits the town. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Three teenage boys were arrested last night in relation to a pack attack on two police officers.

The two officers were seriously injured when they were set upon by a mob of around two dozen drunken teenagers in Ngaruawahia on Friday night.

One officer was hit in the face with a pool cue, suffering a fractured eye socket. The other received a broken hand after they went to investigate an out of control house party.

The officers had to flee to their patrol car while the crowd of teens surrounded them and bashed the car.

The attack has brought fresh calls from the Police Association for police to carry firearms.

Police Minister Judith Collins visited the town yesterday to thank locals who helped. Collins said the officers told her they were "just dealing with a pack of cowardly bullies".

Detective Sergeant Mata John of the Ngaruawahia CIB said the arrests resulted from a search of properties.

A 15-year-old was arrested on three counts of injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one of intentional damage.

Two other boys were referred to Youth Aid in relation to intentional damage on the officer's patrol car.

A police source said one of the injured officers was a former British policeman who had moved to New Zealand. The other was a former teacher who recently joined the police.

Trouble started when a party on Ellery St was broken up, leading to a mass brawl between up to 40 youths aged 14 to 18 outside the house.

Resident Jolene Saunders said the party began after her daughter Sharna, 14, arrived home at 11pm on Friday with 20 friends. "I didn't know what it would escalate to. They drink and think they're he-men."

Eyewitnesses said the officers used pepper spray on the teens while retreating to the patrol car.

Neighbour Amon West, who went to the officers' aid, said: "It wasn't good to see them turn on cops. They're just trying to keep the peace. "

Police Association president Greg O'Connor called for all police patrols to be armed, saying "It's no surprise they think the police can't touch them."