KEY POINTS:
A 15-year-old has been charged after a police officer was smashed in the face with a liquor bottle at a drunken underage party at New Plymouth on Saturday.
The officer required 21 stitches after the bottle was broken over his face, causing a deep, L-shaped cut around his nose.
Neighbours called police to the out-of-control Huatoki Street party about 10.45pm, as drunken teenagers spilled out onto the roadway.
The party was believed to be a 15-year-old's birthday party, and was unsupervised by adults.
New Plymouth area commander Inspector Fiona Prestidge said all available police and a police dog were called to break up the party.
They concentrated on dispersing the partygoers, she said.
"It's yet another example (of under-age drinking) and, hopefully, it will get through to parents of teenagers what can happen when young people gather around alcohol without supervision," Ms Prestidge said.
The injured officer was wearing a recently issued stab-proof vest. He would not be back at work for at least a week.
The 15-year-old has been charged with wounding with intent and will appear in New Plymouth Youth Court on Wednesday.
- NZPA
