Waitakere Police say a planned confrontation between student groups of two West Auckland secondary schools was averted yesterday when a number of arrests were made.
Sergeant Grant Watson of New Lynn Police says that at about 2.30pm yesterday Wednesday 14 November 2007 Police went to Olympic Park, Portage Road, New Lynn.
"On arrival Police saw 20 students from a nearby secondary school had assembled in preparation for a fight with male students of another College."
"However there were no other College groups present," he said.
"Police had earlier received reliable information that a confrontation between groups from two secondary schools was to take place at the park."
"The 20 students immediately ran in all directions but were soon caught by the large team of Police and taken into custody. One student was found with a rock in his possession."
"There appears to be no valid reason for the recent escalating rivalry between the two schools. It is certainly not gang related. Most of the students have not been in trouble with Police before," he said.
"One possible reason is that the fighting is personality driven. The individuals have encouraged their mates to support them and so two opposing groups may have been formed with a view to finding a solution through fighting."
"In an attempt to ease the tension Police went to one of the schools yesterday to speak to the students. A warning was issued to them all about the consequences of such group confrontations," Sergeant Watson said.
Five males aged 17 years have been arrested and charged with Unlawful Assembly. They will appear in the Waitakere District Court on Monday. Fourteen other males aged 15-16 years are similarly charged and they will appear in the Waitakere Youth Court on Tuesday. All are presently on bail.