Eighteen face court action following New Year's 'riot'

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Eighteen of the young men arrested in Gisborne after mayhem at the beachside BW campground on New Year's Eve will face court action, with most on charges of "riotous" behaviour and using cans as weapons.

Police locked up 67 people following the three-hour disturbance that police labelled a "riot".

All of those charged were male.

"Most of those taken into custody were given pre-charge warnings after their arrest and released," said Senior Sergeant Freddy van Duuren.

Several men in their late teens and early 20s from places such as Auckland, Christchurch, Nelson and Napier face "riot" charges. They are charged with behaving "in a riotous manner that was likely in the circumstances to cause violence against persons to start".

The charge carries a maximum three-month term of imprisonment or a fine of up to $2000.

Several were also charged, along with some others, with "assault on persons unknown using a can as a weapon".

The maximum penalty on that charge is up to five years in jail.

"Anyone who we identified as having thrown a can has been charged with assault with a weapon," Senior Sergeant van Duuren said. "The deluge of cans thrown was intense at times."

None of those arrested after the BW riot were from the Gisborne district.

St John officers treated more than 40 people for abrasions, cuts and other injuries sustained in the barrage of missiles.

"We were lucky none of our police staff, the ambulance officers or security staff were injured. Our guys saw the cans coming and managed to dodge them," Mr van Duuren said.

At least two men were charged in relation to some of the fires lit during the disturbance.

They were charged with "intentionally damaging by fire a pile of tents with reckless disregard for the safety of unknown persons and the property of unknown persons."

Other charges included trespass and disorderly behaviour.

All the accused were scheduled to appear in the Gisborne District Court next Monday.

"Their legal representation might seek to have their clients' charges heard in their home districts," Mr van Duuren said. "We won't know that until the initial court appearances are called."

- Gisborne Herald