Officers assaulted in frenzied attack by couple

A Dunedin couple assaulted five police officers in a frenzied attack on Saturday morning.

Five police officers in Dunedin were assaulted yesterday in a frenzied attack by a couple who had broken into the new Forsyth Barr Stadium.

One cop required a tetanus shot after he was bitten on the arm as he tried to restrain the 36-year-old partners.

Dunedin Acting Senior Sergeant Chris McLellan described the attack as "appalling".

He said police were called after a member of the public noticed the two drunk people redirecting cars with road cones outside the new Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin at 3.25am.

When two police officers turned up a man and woman, both aged 36, were hiding in some bushes.

McLellan said: "Five minutes later they decided to come out and what eventuated was a violent assault, both verbal and physical. During the struggle the male bit a police officer on the arm."

The couple kicked, verbally abused and spat in the police officer's faces.

"Back at the station they kicked and spat at a further two officers and one kicked the senior sergeant," he said.

The couple were locked in the cells and continued hurling abuse at police officers.

They have been charged with unlawfully being on a property, disorderly behaviour, resisting arrest and assaulting police.

They were bailed to appear in the Dunedin District Court on Friday.

Earlier yesterday a Dunedin police dog handler was spat at and had a punch thrown at him by a 15-year-old boy. Alcohol was believed to be a factor and he was referred to Youth Aid.