Police use pepper spray to break up Whakatane brawl

FILE

Police on district court duty rushed outside the Whakatane courthouse after a brawl erupted on the street.

A large number of people were at the courthouse just before 11am today for today's judges list.

Several became involved when an altercation developed between two groups of people out the front of the courthouse.

The brawling group went from the front of the courthouse, across Pyne St to a car park.

Police armed with pepper spray came from the courthouse and the police station directly across the road.

Once the groups had been separated some of the people involved were rinsing their eyes with water and spitting on the ground after coming in contact with the pepper spray.

A police spokesperson said people involved in the brawl were being interviewed but it was expected charges would be laid.