Drunk, armed men arrested after assault

Three drunken men - two carrying hunting knives - were arrested in Taupo today following an assault in the town.

Senior Sergeant Tony Jeurissen said officers responded to a report about 5pm that an assault had taken place in the Rawhiti St area, and arrived soon afterwards to tend to the victim.

There had been earlier reports of drunken men making a nuisance of themselves in the area.

Mr Jeurissen said soon after talking to the victim, police arrested three men as they walked out of a driveway nearby.

"During the course of the arrest three hunting type knives were located on two of the arrested men," he said.

All smelt strongly of alcohol and had acted with a "heightened sense of bravado" when arrested and back at the police station.

All were due to appear in Taupo District Court tomorrow to face charges which were not finalised by tonight.

The assault victim was not seriously hurt and is continuing to assist police.

Mr Jeurissen urged anyone who witnessed drunken behaviour or an assault in the Rawhiti or Tonga street areas to contact Taupo police.

- NZPA