By PATRICK GOWER
Two schoolgirl after-balls planned for the Headhunters gang headquarters this weekend have been canned after police intervened.
A party for Westlake Girls' High students tonight was cancelled after the Herald revealed yesterday that it was to be held in the gang's Ellerslie building.
An Epsom Girls' Grammar after-ball party scheduled for last night was also cancelled after police told schools and parents the venue placed students at "significant risk".
Police were told the parties had been cancelled after an "informal" meeting with Headhunter chief Wayne Doyle yesterday.
It was not known how students from both schools planned to celebrate after their balls.
Police had told the schools the Marua Rd building was a "known criminal premises" and the Headhunters were known for "drug trafficking, violence and illicit activities".
They said they would prosecute under the Sale of Liquor Act and threatened to raid the venue using the team policing unit if the parties went ahead.
They backed down after hearing the parties had been cancelled, with Senior Sergeant Wendy Spiller saying they were satisfied there had been no breaches of the liquor act and that Mr Doyle had assured them no more after-ball parties would be held at the venue.
Several after-ball parties have been held there this year, including those for Selwyn College, Glendowie College, Pakuranga College and the $10,000-a-year Kristin School in Albany.
All the parties went off without apparent problems, and parents and students contacted the Weekend Herald yesterday in support of the Headhunters and their venue.
Tickets included transport and a DJ and alcohol was provided by the student organisers. Three hundred or more students attended the parties.
Parents were often involved, and sometimes men linked to the gang provided security.
"It was just like any other party," a 16-year-old girl said. "The security guys were pretty low-key, but when one guy chundered they had him out of there."
A mother of a Selwyn College student, who attended as a supervisor, said she had heard of Mr Doyle - a convicted murderer and drug supplier - but did not realise it was him until afterwards.
"I got a totally new conception of the guy ... He was dishing money out of his own pockets for kids to get home in taxis."
A Kristin parent said his 17-year-old son had thought the party was "excellent" and had not realised it was run by the gang until afterwards.
"I think it is a brilliant concept," the man said. "Let's face it - you are not going to get any gatecrashers going there, are you?"
The Headhunters, who police say have a history of violence and involvement with the methamphetamine trade, are linked with West Auckland but have had a strong presence in Ellerslie since Mr Doyle's release from prison two and a half years ago.
The three-level Marua Rd building has a boxing gym, accommodation and a cage for motorcycles as well as an indoor-outdoor area where the parties are held.
Mr Doyle, who said he was against "P", or pure methamphetamine, said the venue had become popular with students because it was their "last resort".
Headhunters cancel schoolgirl parties
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.