Union says 15 children involved in Wellington bus brawl

The brawl broke out on Friday evening on a Lower Hutt bus. Photo / 123rf

Up to 15 children could have been involved in a brawl on a Lower Hutt bus that left several people injured, it’s alleged.

Police have confirmed six people were taken into custody following an aggravated robbery on Metlink’s number 83 bus.

It happened at about 5.20pm on Friday on Seaview Rd.

Several people were assessed and treated for minor injuries, including the bus driver who intervened and is now taking time off work.

One passenger was taken to Hutt Hospital in an ambulance where they were treated and discharged.

Tramways Union secretary Kevin O’Sullivan said he has seen the driver’s statement to police and has spoken to him.

“A group of about 15 children aged about 13 or 14 got on the bus at Queensgate and then started playing up doing stuff, shouting, and playing music,” O’Sullivan said.

“Then I think what happened is a passenger might have talked to them and the result was she was attacked and a big fight ensued,” it was alleged.

O’Sullivan said this type of incident wasn’t common and was a serious concern.

“There were a few injuries as well, including the driver who’s currently off work, but I don’t think he was seriously injured.”

Five of the offenders are being referred to Youth Services and one, a 19-year-old woman, appeared in Lower Hutt District Court on Saturday facing charges in relation to the incident.

She was due to reappear in court later this month, a police spokesperson said.

It did not appear any weapons were involved in the incident, they said.

“As this matter is currently before the courts we will not be able to provide anything further at this stage.”

Hutt Valley acting area commander Inspector Haley Ryan said the incident was distressing for the victims involved as well as the community as a whole.

“Police would like to reassure the public the despicable behaviour conducted by the youths involved in this incident will not be tolerated, and Police are making every effort to ensure each youth offender are being held to account for their actions.”

Greater Wellington Regional Council chairman Daran Ponter said he was grateful to police for their swift response.

Footage from cameras on board the bus has been given to police to assist with their investigation, he said

Metlink and bus operator NZ Bus were providing support for the passenger taken to hospital and the driver, who was taken off duty immediately after the incident, Ponter said.

Both police and the regional council are part of a wider effort to target youth disorder and violence in the area where the group of children got on the bus.

Extra police have been deployed to the area in recent months to “deter antisocial and harmful behaviour”.

Last year Metlink announced plans to renew the design of bus stops there to promote public safety.

The reconfiguration will reduce passenger crowding and the concentration of groups of youths in confined areas.

It will also open sightlines that have previously hidden offending and made people vulnerable to crime.

The work will be fully completed by the end of the year.