Public act of bravery praised by police

Detective Sergeant Darren Pritchard

Hawke's Bay Police are praising the "brave" actions of a number of people who came to the aid of police as they were being set upon during an incident at the weekend.

Police were called to Cornwall Park in Hastings on Saturday about 3pm after reports of disorder and fighting in the Chinese Gardens.

Detective Sergeant Darren Pritchard said there were a number of families and children in the park at the time. A fight had broken out between a male and a female who had been drinking.

Two police officers attempted to arrest the female and were immediately attacked by the male.

About six or seven members of the public rushed to the aid of the constables and helped to restrain the man.

An off-duty prison officer was among the helpers.

Mr Pritchard said police were extremely grateful to all those who came to the aid of the police officers. "They did not hesitate in lending a helping hand when two of our staff were in need of assistance.

"These brave members of our community should be applauded," he said.

A 24-year-old female and a 20-year-old male will appear in the Hastings District Court this week on a variety of charges.