"Otahuhu - update from overnight"

Please attribute to Counties Manukau DCC Supervisor, S/Sgt Clive Wood

Significant disorder occurred in the main shopping area of Otahuhu last night at around 9pm

What started out as a celebration turned into mass disorder involving traffic gridlock, drunkenness and violence.

As family groups, revellers and other sports fans moved away and headed home a hard core of people occupied the streets, let off fireworks near a petrol station, threw missiles at police, obstructed roads and foot paths and behaved in a very disorderly manner.

At one stage an ambulance was prevented from getting to a medical emergency. “These people, who appeared to have no care for anyone’s welfare, didn’t think about the consequences of their actions and I do hope they take time out to reflect on how badly they behaved”.

A total 53 arrests were made for disorder offending and over 50 police staff were redeployed from other duties to control the situation.

This offending will not be tolerated and people will face the consequences for this type of behaviour, he said.

ENDS

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