Teens seeking fight at school arrested

Police say they will not tolerate schoolyard violence following the arrest of four youths who entered an Auckland high school this week armed with a knife, an iron bar and wood for a fight with pupils.

Police were called to remove the 17-year-olds from Selwyn College in Kohimarama on Wednesday and found the weapons in their car, which was parked nearby.

Senior Sergeant Donovan Clarke said police were called to the school when the youths would not leave.

"They were going to help a friend who was going to have a fight at the school or something like that."

He said the young men were arrested and charged with possessing offensive weapons.

"We take a hard line with this sort of stuff. It's unacceptable that they think they can walk around the community with iron bars and bats and knives. They will be arrested and put before the court."

Mr Clarke said the safety of pupils and teachers was being put at risk by "thugs who think they can go around and beat people up".

Last August a group of 15 armed youths entered the grounds of Onehunga High School and injured three people when they were told to leave.