Early morning ructions lead to stab arrest

Police search for clues in Albert St.

A teenager has been arrested after a man was stabbed in the stomach in Central Auckland early yesterday.

A trail of blood led down Swanson St and police officers combed the scene where chaos erupted shortly after 2am. Auckland CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Newman said two groups of youths started fighting on lower Albert St near the Stamford Hotel and Bar Code nightclub.

"Both groups just appear to have been out and about, drinking and clubbing," Newman said. "There's obviously been some sort of fracas ... which has moved down to Swanson St."

CCTV footage showed five people sprinting down Swanson St at 2.14am. "One of the other parties involved was found on Queen St," Newman said.

In a possibly related incident at 2.11am, two men were seen chasing another person across Albert St, lunging and kicking at him.

A 20-year-old was taken to hospital with serious injuries, including a stab wound to his stomach. Inspector Steve Kose said the man was initially said to have a "cut around his head" too.

A 17-year-old has been arrested and charged with possession of a knife.

Police said more arrests were possible and they interviewed witnesses throughout the day. However the chaotic nature of the melee made it hard to find what had happened.

Auckland City Hospital said the victim was in a stable condition.