Auckland City Police are disappointed by the irresponsible, unacceptable and potentially dangerous behaviour of several people who chose to threaten each other and destroy public property at Britomart on Saturday night.
Police work hard with event organisers, patrons, Council and Auckland Transport to try and ensure public events like those in Auckland on Saturday night are run smoothly with the objective of preventing disorder and violence.
Throughout greater Auckland, 141 Police staff over and above normal patrol numbers were on duty on Saturday night in anticipation of the expected crowds from Coca-Cola Xmas in the Park, the Ragamuffin Concert at Henderson's Trust stadium and the Phoenix football match at Eden Park, converging on the CBD. A further 140 security and Maori Wardens were present at Coca-Cola Xmas in the Park.
Police patrolled Britomart and other train stations and were present on some trains regularly in the lead up to the disorder but were not at Britomart when it erupted. Maori Wardens and extra AT security were based there throughout the evening.
Inspector Peter Gibson says Police had a constant overview of activities in the city, including at Britomart, through having staff at the Auckland Transport Operations Centre (ATOC) where live CCTV footage showed the first indications of trouble.
"Our alignment with ATOC ensured we were able to deploy staff swiftly to Britomart and the first of about 25 officers arrived within five minutes of being dispatched there.
"That said, most of the disorder was over before Police arrived and, although no arrests were made at the time in deference to public and staff safety concerns, we have access to the ATOC CCTV footage and are looking closely at it to identify anyone who was committing criminal offences."
Mr Gibson said often the best tactical option in such public disorder situations is to disperse the crowd so the numbers are more manageable.
ends
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589
Website: www.police.govt.nz