KEY POINTS:
Emergency 111 calls about the disorder in Herne Bay that led to Augustine Borrell's murder were not judged urgent enough to warrant a police car being sent.
More than 30 minutes after the first call, the Northern Communications call centre decided to notify police in Auckland city.
Police
spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty yesterday gave details of the 111 calls, saying: "We don't have a crystal ball to say when disorder is going to turn into a murder."
She said three 111 calls were made to the call centre after the party was shut down and the teenagers began milling around on the street.
A call about "yelling on the street" was made at 11.41pm and another about "throwing bottles" at 11.55pm.
The third call, about fighting came in at 12.01pm and Ms Hegarty said by 12.12pm a call-taker at the centre, who had the caller on the line, decided the situation had "escalated" enough to warrant sending a vehicle.
It was at that point Auckland city police became aware of the disorder, and Ms Hegarty said it took only five minutes for a police car to arrive, which "is pretty darn good".
Ms Hegarty said police could not rush out to every 111 call about "yelling in the street" and call-takers were trained to judge when situations required police attendance.
Police had been called to a lot of disorder in the city that night, including a group of 30 youths fighting at the Viaduct about 11.30pm.
The end-of-exams party was thrown by the teenage daughter of lawyer Jeffrey Morrison, a partner at Russell McVeagh, and his wife, Noeline, who were at the Rugby World Cup in France.
A 20-year-old, believed to be an elder daughter, was providing the adult supervision.
The Morrisons' $2.6 million home with swimming pool and tennis court was empty yesterday, the driveway monitored by a security guard. Beer bottles were strewn across the outdoor area and on the astroturf.
Neighbours had differing views of the party. One, who did not want to be named, said it was a "party house" and the parents had to take some responsibility for leaving their girls at home. She had been so frightened from 10.30pm that she left her lights off so as not to draw attention to her house.
Another neighbour described the Morrisons as "social, but not over the top". She had noticed the party, which was attended by more teenagers than usual, but was not out of control.
Family spokesman Mike Heron said the Morrisons were returning from France and would attend Augustine's funeral.
