Three arrested after brawlers turn on police

Three people have been arrested after a brawl in Wairoa early today during which those involved in the fighting turned on police officers who arrived at the scene.

Police were alerted to the incident in the Hawke's Bay town at 2am and found about 40 people involved in a fight in Apatu St.

Detective Sergeant Mick Lander said officers had to withdraw from the immediate area after their patrol car window was smashed by a piece of concrete thrown from the crowd.

They also had glass bottles thrown at them.

The officers were not hurt and off-duty reinforcements were called.

Mr Lander said the fight involved people who had been at two parties in the street, and was not between rival gang members as reported in an earlier police statement.

He said three people had been arrested on violence-related charges and were due to appear in Gisborne District Court tomorrow.

Further arrests were expected to follow.

Several people were injured in the fighting, including one man who was taken to Hastings Hospital with head injuries which were not thought to be life-threatening.

- NZPA