Arrests as teen birthday party erupts into drunken violence

An out-of-control 16th birthday party at Tauranga Racecourse was broken up by police and 12 teenagers were arrested.

Sergeant Nigel McGlone, the Western Bay of Plenty's alcohol harm reduction co-ordinator, said police received advance notification of the party being held for two 16-year-old girls at the racecourse on Saturday night.

About 480 tickets to the event were sold at $10 each - but more than 600 young people turned up.

"The party was held in a function room at the racecourse and was meant to be alcohol free. Non-alcoholic drinks and food were provided, but it was obvious that many of those attending had been drinking before the event," Mr McGlone said.

"At a very early point in the evening, police were already intercepting intoxicated 15- and 16-year-old teenagers in the surrounding area drinking beer, RTDs and spirits."

Mr McGlone said that by 10pm disorder had broken out and damage had been caused inside the venue.

Police were called to assist in closing the party down.

"For the next two hours, police dealt with extensive disorder and fights in and around the racecourse as they attempted to disperse the crowd. A police vehicle was damaged when a bottle was thrown through one of its windows."

Classic Cuisine was running the party but general manager Paulina Schumacher said she called the police to help clear out partygoers when things got of hand.

"The kids had oversold the tickets and they basically became a danger to themselves. I had to shut down the party," she said.

Ms Schumacher said there were 10 security staff, no alcohol was sold at the party and bag checks ensured no alcohol was smuggled in.

Mr McGlone said that while the event was obviously on a large scale, police were faced with the same basic ingredients of young people, excessive drinking and disorder every weekend.

"This is beyond a joke. This area has been fortunate not to have seen the serious harm that has been caused in other New Zealand centres in recent times. We do have concerns about young people drinking large amounts of alcohol - and we have these concerns for good reasons."

Teenagers who were at the party have complained about what they say was police heavy-handedness.

Western Bay of Plenty Police area commander Mike Clement said he did not know of those concerns.

"This was a very volatile situation involving more than 600 young people, many of whom were very intoxicated," he said.

"All available Tauranga police staff were diverted to attend this incident, such was its serious nature."

"Once the party had been shut down, police spent two hours dealing with large amounts of disorder and fighting.

Twelve people had been arrested for a range of offences.

" They were aged between 15 and 18 years and included males and females. Many of them were intoxicated.

"Our primary concern was to try to ensure the safety of those people, residents living in the area, and police staff themselves."

- APN