Sevens behaviour 'good', despite arrests

Thousands of Sevens fans who descended on Wellington for a two-day party were well-behaved, despite more than 100 partygoers being arrested, police say.

Fourteen people were arrested for minor offences at Westpac Stadium yesterday, and 35 people were ejected from the stadium.

That behaviour was an improvement on Friday, when 28 people were arrested at the stadium and 82 were ejected.

The number of people arrested in the central city yesterday jumped to 63 from 28 on Friday.

Most of the arrests were for fighting, disorder, minor assaults and liquor ban breaches, Sevens operations commander Inspector Simon Perry said.

Mr Perry said nearly 73,000 people packed out the stadium over the two days and the partygoers' behaviour was of a good standard.

Extra police from Hawke's Bay and Palmerston North had been brought in to assist.

Mr Perry said a very large crowd assembled in Courtenay Place in the central city after the Sevens had concluded, with the crowd bigger than last year.

Excessive alcohol consumption led to the downfall of some fans, he said.

- NZPA