'Out-of-control' party shut down by police

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An "out-of-control" party at a Cromwell house involving drunken teenagers, which started three nights earlier, was shut down by police on Sunday night.

"We'd had calls from people in the area about the same address for four nights in a row, about noise and disorder but on the last night it was out of control and there were about 40-50 young people there; very intoxicated young people, which is of concern," Constable Paddy Henderson, of Cromwell, said yesterday.

Police were called at 10pm and seized a firearm and ammunition which was in an unsecured vehicle at the Waenga Dv property, he said.

Two 18-year-old men, both of Cromwell, who were attending the party, but did not live in the house, were arrested by police. One will face a charge of disorderly behaviour and the other a charge of obstructing police, Constable Henderson said. Both will appear in the Alexandra District Court in May.

"There had been a couple of fights at the place earlier on in the evening as well, then after the first arrests were made, I called for five more [police] officers to come from Alexandra to help shut the party down."

The party had already closed down by the time the extra police arrived.

He was concerned at the teenagers' intoxication.

"These young ones can legally drink at 18, but that doesn't mean they can handle their alcohol, so they shouldn't really be drinking, some of them."

The property was known as being a "party house". Teenagers were flatting in the rental property, but they were being evicted, and had three more weeks before they had to leave the house, he said.

"We'll be keeping a close eye on the address in the meantime and won't be tolerating any more disorder. Other people who live in the area are sick of it."

Investigations were continuing and there was the possibility of more arrests as a result of the incident, Constable Henderson said.

A window was smashed at the house on Sunday night and the property was "really messy", he said.