Man in serious condition after being attacked

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A 21-year-old man is in a serious condition after being beaten with numerous weapons including bats and steel pipes by a group of 10 to 15 youths in Tokoroa this afternoon.

The incident took place about 1.30pm on Jedburgh Street at a residential address, Detective Sergeant Kevan Verry, of Tokoroa CIB, said.

Three other youths were also targeted in the attack, Mr Verry said.

The assault involved the use of a number of weapons including bats, steel pipes, fence palings and lengths of wood and the victim suffered serious head injuries.

He is in Waikato Hospital in a serious condition.

Police recovered a number of weapons from the scene but believed others may have been discarded nearby as the offenders fled along Kelso Street, Mr Verry said.

Residents in the area were asked to check their gardens for any objects that may be stained in blood.

Police were also seeking any information on the identity of the group and were asking for information from the public.

The group were mainly Maori or Polynesian youths aged 15-25 years, all wearing some form of blue clothing and were last seen running along Kelso Street. There were several girls with the group, Mr Verry said.

It was also possible that some of the offenders involved in the attack had bragged about their deeds to associates or family members and police urged anyone who had any information to contact the Tokoroa police.

- NZPA