Police officers 'seriously assaulted' in Henderson

Two police officers were allegedly seriously assaulted as they tried to make an arrest early today.

Police say the two officers went to a house in Henderson, Auckland, where there had been a complaint about two members of a family playing loud music.

Officers first went to the house at about 11.30pm last night. The senior family member who had called police declined to make a formal complaint and a settlement was negotiated.

Just after midnight, the two officers returned to the same address after a second 111 call was received. They again resolved the situation by negotiation but waited outside the address, anticipating further problems, police said.

The officers then saw a man and woman arguing in the house and went back in.

There was a struggle in which the man is alleged to have punched a policeman, leaving him with cuts and bruises and a possible broken thumb, and struck a female officer, who suffered broken ribs and a severely bruised collarbone. Both police officers were treated at Auckland Hospital.

Other police staff arrived at the scene and pepper spray was used to arrest the alleged offender.

Five young children were in the house at the time of the incident.

Two men, aged 21 and 16, were due to appear in the Waitakere District Court today on a variety of charges including injuring with intent, resisting police, aggravated assault, and obstruction.

- HERALD ONLINE STAFF