Man assaulted outside Fordlands liquor store

The injured man is helped by emergency service staff. Photo/Ben Fraser

A man was left lying on the footpath after he was allegedly set upon and beaten by a group of people outside a Rotorua liquor store.

Police and St John Ambulance were called to Ford Rd, outside the shopping centre, just before 1pm today.

A police media spokeswoman said police were responding to reports of disorder in the area, which had left one person injured.

She said the Ford Block Wholesale Liquor Store had been temporarily closed as a result.

Emergency services put a foil rescue blanket over the man, with at least five police cars in the area.

The injured man is helped by emergency service staff. Photo/Ben Fraser

A Four Square Fordlands worker told the

Rotorua Daily Post

he didn't see anything happen but could hear yelling. He was asked by a member of the public to call the police.

A group of youths cheered as the victim was put into the ambulance and the man raised a fist for them.

A local resident, who did not want to be named, said he had lived in the area since the 1950s and it was okay then but over the years there had been more violence as tensions grew.

"This place is full of it."

The injured man outside the Fordlands shops. Photo/Ben Fraser

Rotorua police crime prevention manager Inspector Stuart Nightingale said police had made one arrest but more were likely.

Mr Nightingale said there were at least five people involved in the assault.

"The person who was injured was involved in an earlier conflict at a local address," he said.

Rotorua police will continue with increased patrols in the Fordlands area over the course of the investigation.

They would like to hear any information from the public who witnessed the assault or incidents leading up to the assault. Call Rotorua police on (07) 349 9400. Information can also be shared anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.