Police Officers Hospitalised After Attack

At about 8pm on Christmas day two Police officers were attacked after being called to deal with a group of intoxicated youths seen damaging letter boxes and street signs in Dargaville.

Church-goers saw the youths damaging letterboxes and police located them a short distance away.  The group entered an address in Tirarau Street where a party was in progress. Party-goers at the address became aggressive and assaulted Police as they tried to deal with the youths.

The officers were punched and hit to the ground then kicked while they were on the ground.

One officer was knocked unconscious. The second officer attempted to protect him but was also kicked in the head and received bruising to his face.

One woman used a brick as weapon and then tried to shoot the officer with his own taser. When it failed to fire she smashed it.

Police were assisted by the local Fire Brigade and would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge their support.

Police have since arrested seven people, five men and two women, on a variety of charges ranging from intentional damage, assault on Police and escaping custody.  Most of the people arrested will be appearing in the Whangärei District Court on the 26th of December 2012.

Enquiries are continuing and police expect further charges to be laid and further arrests to be made.

Both Officers were taken to Dargaville Hospital where they were placed under observation and treated for their injuries. They have now been released from the hospital.

Police are also appealing to witnesses to contact the Dargaville Police station if they saw the incident and can assist with identifying suspects and reporting damage in the areas of Gordon Street and Tirarau Street.