Boys accused of attempted murder

Photo / Supplied.

Two boys aged 14 and 16 have been charged with attempted murder after a police officer was attacked with a knife and a machete in Hamilton last night.

The 16-year-old was initially charged with aggravated assault and the 14-year-old with assault with a weapon in relation to the incident.

But Inspector Rob Lindsay this afternoon said both the boys had been charged with attempted murder after detectives interviewed them this morning.

"Obviously with the matter before the courts we can't go into any specific details of what has occurred but the charges in my view reflect the severity of what has occurred," he said.

The boys are due to appear in court this afternoon.

Police said the officer was left with a black eye after the attack at a Pukete property, where he had been called about 5pm after reports the occupants were fighting with weapons.

"As our staff arrived those involved have stopped fighting and one has lunged at the officer with a knife, as he avoided that attack he has drawn his baton and it is that motion that has saved him from a machete swung by an offender who had come up from behind," Mr Lindsay said earlier .

Mr Lindsay said the machete struck the officer's baton and was deflected.

"From there the Constable has used pepper-spray to disperse his attackers who fled into the house."

Mr Lindsay said officers had called for those inside the house to come out before entering to check on the safety of those inside. They used a Taser to subdue one person.

Mr Lindsay said it appeared the boys involved in the incident had been drinking and police were concerned that they had access to alcohol.

The attacked officer has resumed full duties.

- NZ HERALD STAFF