Violence mars weekend in Northland

Violence marred the weekend in Northland after a police officer was beaten up, a woman was robbed at knifepoint, and a party involving 200 young people got out of control.

Young people threw bottles at police who were trying to close down a Whangarei party involving 200 young people on Saturday night.

Sergeant Anaru George, of Whangarei police, said at least 15 officers went to house in suburban Kamo about 10.10pm on Saturday after reports that a large number of gatecrashers were trying to get into a party there.

A large knife or machete was apparently pulled on one of the partygoers.

Mr Anaru said when police tried to close the party down the situation escalated and bottles were thrown at the officers.

"Alcohol and young people can be a volatile mix and it was a bit of a handful for police," he said. "It doesn't help when you get gatecrashers turning up like this."

Police arrested eight young men on charges including disorderly behaviour, fighting and assault on police. They will appear in the Whangarei District Court this week.

Mr Anaru said four young girls had to be taken to the police station where they spent the night in cells after consuming too much alcohol.

Meanwhile, an off-duty Kaikohe policeman was "severely beaten" by four youths when he left the Bank Bar about 1.30am on Saturday.

The police officer was not hospitalised but was on sick leave.

Kaikohe Detective Sergeant Mike Foster said one of the teenagers threw a "king hit" to the side of the policeman's face, which knocked him to the ground. Three other teenagers then joined their friend to kick and punch the police officer for about two minutes.

"It was a violent and cowardly attack," Mr Foster said.

People saw the attack but failed to help except for one person who tried to follow the teenagers when they ran off.

Four 17-year-old men were to appear in Kaikohe District Court today charged with injuring with intent to injure.

On Friday night, during peak-hour traffic, a 26-year-old woman was robbed of a small amount of cash at knifepoint in Rathbone St, Whangarei.

Whangarei Detective Constable Pepe Reihana said the woman was walking alone about 6pm when she was confronted by a Maori man in his early 20s and about 170cm tall, who demanded money.

Police are still looking for the offender.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)