Police officers assaulted during mass disorder

A police sergeant was taken to hospital after allegedly being punched in the head a dozen times during an incident of mass disorder early this morning in Upper Hutt.

Police were called to investigate reports of people fighting and yelling about 1.30am in Railway Avenue, said Upper Hutt police area commander Inspector Mike Hill.

They were speaking to a large number of people when officers arrested a 25-year-old man for obstruction.

The man allegedly punched the sergeant 10-12 times in the head before other officers were able to restrain him.

He also allegedly head-butted a female constable in the side of her head while police escorted him to a police van, Mr Hill said.

The Sergeant had been treated by ambulance staff then taken to Hutt Hospital with lumps and bruises on his head and concussion. He had since been discharged and was recovering at home.

About six officers had attended from Upper Hutt, but were outnumbered with about 20 people involved in the disorder, so had to call for back up from Wellington and Lower Hutt, Mr Hill said.

"When we arrived, there were people who were wanting to fight with other people that were there, people that were intoxicated, some that were abusive either to each other or to the police, and generally those that were participating in either actual fighting or people about to or wanting to have fights with each other," he told NZPA.

About 12 more officers came to help and a further 10 people were arrested for disorder related offences, Mr Hill said.The 25-year-old was remanded in custody after he appeared in Upper Hutt District Court today charged with aggravated assault, assault with intent to injure, obstructing police and resisting arrest.

- NZPA