Police close pub after 50 drinkers in fight

Police were forced to shut down a Christchurch pub early today after fighting broke out between around 50 drinkers.

Every available police officer in Christchurch was deployed in an effort to restore order in and around the Bush Bar in Upper Riccarton.

The pub was immediately closed to quell further violence, Christchurch South Area Commander Malcolm Johnston said today.

"There appeared to be two separate groups amongst the patrons," he said.

"Whilst one group of about 30 patrons performed a haka the other group stood waiting. As soon as the haka finished all hell broke loose."

He said that only three arrests were made because police had their hands full keeping the rival groups apart.

Mr Johnston said that because of ongoing problems police had taken the unusual step of stationing a police patrol in the pub carpark every Wednesday night.

"It's been a huge resource issue for police, yet last night, despite police presence, we were faced with two groups hell bent on attacking each other."

Investigations into the cause of the latest fighting were continuing.

- NZPA