Police who were 'run off their feet' on Saturday night making 55 arrests in Dunedin for disorder and fighting say it was no surprise alcohol was the common factor.
The number of arrests surged early on Sunday morning to the point where the cells at Dunedin central police station were full and other rooms in the station had to be used to hold prisoners, Inspector Alastair Dickie said.
The city hosted a Super 15 game between the Highlanders and the Crusaders on Saturday, and students also held their annual keg party in Hyde St.
Insp Dickie said of those arrested, 18 were students, which was a reminder disorder was caused by a range of ages from both Dunedin and other parts of the region.
"Surprise surprise - alcohol was the common denominator," he said.
Weekend round-up
Highlanders V Crusaders
- 21000 in attendance
- One arrest , offensive behaviour; six evictions for disorder
- Well behaved crowd overall
- 22 police in attendance
Hyde Street Party
Seven arrests for disorder type offending Four fires lit, one almost spreading to an old wooden house Some other fires were extinguished by Police and Campus Watch around the student area throughout the night St John and A & E very busy with cuts to feet and intoxication issues Street looked like a bomb site when police cleared everyone out at 7.30pm without incident Campus Watch were to be knocking on the Hyde St Students doors at 7am to get them to clean up the mess with the council leaving jumbo bins 22 police staff in attendanceCentral City
The city went relatively quiet after Hyde Street was shut down but as the night wore on police were run off their feet making numerous arrests for disorder, fighting, assault and a range of other offences with a real burst after about 1.30am. In total 55 arrests were made since 3pm on Saturday 18 were students Alcohol was the common denominator The cells were full and other rooms in the station had to be utilised to hold prisoners
