Teens arrested for pack attack on cops

Three teenage boys have been arrested in relation to a pack attack on two police officers in the Waikato town of Ngaruawahia early today.

Detective Sergeant Mata John of the Ngaruawahia CIB said a number of properties in the town were searched today resulting in the arrest of three teenage boys.

"One of those boys, a 15-year-old, has been arrested on three counts of injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one of intentional damage relating to the assault on our two officers while two other boys have been referred to Youth Aid in relation to intentional damage on the officer's patrol car."

The main offender would be appearing in the Hamilton Youth Court on Monday, Ms John said.

Earlier, Huntly Senior Sergeant Pete Simpson said the officers - one from Huntly and one from Ngaruawahia - were called to a disturbance in Ngaruawahia about 12.40am.

"The pair had just cleared a domestic incident and turned on to Ellery St when they encountered a group of youths on the road who were just coming out from a party," Mr Simpson said.

"As the officers were speaking to the youths, estimated to be about 35 strong, the group split into two of about 20 and 15 strong. As they were asking them to move on the smaller group turned on them."

One youth was armed with a pool cue, which he allegedly attacked the officers with, while others pelted them with bottles and cans.

"One officer was hit in the back of the head with the cue and also suffered what appears to be a fractured eye socket with internal bleeding in his eye, while his colleague has suffered quite a serious fracture to his hand. The officers used pepper spray to defend themselves during the incident," Mr Simpson said.

"We're quite pleased, given the extent of their injuries the officers had the presence of mind to extract themselves from the scene while calling for back up as the group hadn't finished, venting their anger further on the pair's patrol car."

Both officers were treated at Waikato Hospital before being discharged.

Ms John said while colleagues had been alarmed at the severity of the attack one positive outcome of the incident was the overwhelming support shown by Ngaruawahia locals.

"The message from the whole community is that this attack is unacceptable and the family of one of those arrested put it best when they said; "not in our town, not to our cops"."

She said that local support led to the quick results.

Inquiries were continuing and police were not ruling out further arrests.

- NZPA