KEY POINTS:
A teenager is fighting for his life and a security guard is in hospital with serious head injuries after two separate attacks by groups of South Auckland youths over the weekend.
Both attacks - one by a street gang - happened early yesterday morning and added to the
already busy workload for Counties Manukau police who were inundated with calls about disorder offences and assaults.
Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Lynch said the security guard was attacked about 1am as he was doing his rounds in Palmers Rd, Manurewa, near the Clendon recreation centre.
The 42-year-old from South Auckland, who is married with five children, was on his way back to his car after making checks around the centre when a group of youths attacked him.
"He was set upon by four persons and assaulted with an implement," Mr Lynch said. "We are not too sure what it was, but he is in Auckland Hospital with serious head injuries."
An ADT Security spokesman said the company was shocked by the "callous nature" of the attack.
"Our real focus at this time is supporting him and his family in whatever way we can."
Police have arrested three people in their early 20s in connection with the attack and are seeking a fourth.
The guard's injuries are not regarded as life-threatening, but police are concerned about critical injuries suffered by a 17-year-old in an attack in Otara.
Mr Lynch said a group of four to six youths set upon the teen as he was walking in Bairds Rd.
They attacked him with an iron bar, bottles, a piece of wood and other "implements". He was taken to Auckland City Hospital and last night it was not known if he would survive.
"He's in a critical condition at the moment and the hospital can't really tell us anything more at this stage - it's too early to say," Mr Lynch said.
One person was helping police with their inquiries but three to five others were still being sought.
Mr Lynch said the attack appeared to be the result of the "youth gang fracas" which had caused endless problems in South Auckland.
"It's believed to be a dispute between two Otara youth street gangs."
Mr Lynch said the two serious assaults followed an already busy night for police in Counties Manukau.
"As well as that, there was a large number of other jobs involving general disorder and fighting in Mangere and other places, so we are obviously concerned about the serious incidents as well as the general disorder.
"It just seemed to be a beautiful night and there was a lot of people out and about. There was no one function on anywhere that seemed to be a catalyst for anything."
