Willowbank station officer Grant Clarkson made his comment after Saturday's Hyde St party was marred by several fires, and firefighters were kept busy with a spate of fires elsewhere in the student area.
"It's idiotic behaviour, and there are obviously a lot of sheep that sit there watching - and they don't do anything to stop it."
However, Hyde St resident Faith Van Lith, a second year student studying social work, defended the party, pointing out that police made seven arrests out of an estimated attendance of 2000. She also noted that of 55 arrests city-wide on Saturday night, just 18 were students.
"I live on Hyde St and personally saw all the creativity and effort that went into the Hyde St party, and all the team work and community that went into the clean up the next day - our street looked better than it ever had in the first place," she said in a comment posted on ODT Online.
"The Hyde St keg party was enjoyed by thousands who got a chance to be a part of something original and exciting.
"The residents of Hyde St did an amazing job and many of us weren't intoxicated."
