Two arrests, one Covid positive, at 'pretty wild' Castle St party

Castle St in Dunedin's student area. Photo / Stephen Jaquiery

A student who told police he was Covid-19 positive caught an appointment with the university Proctor instead after he was arrested at an out-of-control party on Friday night at a notorious Castle St flat.

Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond said there was a gathering at 617 Castle St - better known as 'Deathstar'.

Police had visited the flat earlier in the day and the residents had promised there would be no party.

By about 10:30pm, it was apparent that a number of uninvited guests had shown up, despite the attempts of residents to limit access.

The flat complex had multiple entrances and more than 150 people showed up - far in excess of the strict 100 person limit at Covid-19 alert level red.

Most of the partygoers left and were well behaved.

However, about five young men were abusive to the police. One of them was arrested for disorderly conduct and offensive language.

He was Covid positive and released with a warning and a referral to the Proctor, Snr Sgt Bond said.

When this man was arrested, the others were acting aggressively towards police.

Their behaviour included coughing on officers, which Snr Sgt Bond said was "quite disgusting".

Castle St in Dunedin's student area. Photo / Stephen Jaquiery

Police tried to grab them, but they ran off.

Police are working to identify them from the security cameras in the area. Snr Sgt Bond said they should hand themselves, in rather than wait for police to catch up with them.

One other male was arrested for attempting to steal an officer's hat, he said.

Snr Sgt Bond said blamed the poor behaviour on "a few idiots" and hoped that with one more night of O-Week to go, common sense would prevail.

Castle St resident Reece said the party had been "pretty wild".

He believed the arrested person who coughed on the police officers was probably "talking s***".

He said everyone had been out on Friday night and the street had been "busy as".

Saturday would also be a big party night and the vibes would be "hectic," he said.