Police were forced to close down an Upper Riccarton bar last night as brawling got out of hand during the early hours of this morning.
The Bush Bar, near the corner of Waimarie and Riccarton Roads, was the scene of approximately 50 riotous patrons who spilled out of the bar and commenced brawling outside.
Every available Police Officer working in Christchurch was deployed in an effort to restore order in and around the bar.
The senior Police member present ordered the bar shut immediately to quell further violence.
"There appeared to be two separate groups amongst the patrons," says Christchurch South Area Commander Malcolm Johnston. "Whilst one group of about 30 patrons performed a haka the other group stood waiting. As soon as the haka finished all hell broke loose.
Because of the ongoing problems we have around this bar every Wednesday night we've taken the unusual step of positioning a police patrol in the carpark to prevent ongoing disorder issues. It's been a huge resource issue for Police, yet last night, despite police presence, we were faced with two groups hell bent on attacking each other. Only three arrests were made with Police having their hands full keeping the two groups separated."
Investigations are continuing.