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01-01-2015, 04:00 AM
An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:
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New Year's riot: 63 arrested and 83 hurt at Gisborne's BW Summer Festival
7:38 AM Thursday Jan 1, 2015
http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/20151/riotcage_220x147.jpg
The Hawke's Bay police had this holding area ready for any trouble-makers before the violence last night. Photo / Facebook
Sixty-three people were arrested and 83 injured, including seven who needed hospital treatment, following a massive New Year's Eve riot in Gisborne.
Police said the riot broke out about 5.30pm and lasted for three hours in two campgrounds being used for the BW Summer Festival.
DO YOU KNOW MORE? CONTACT THE HERALD HERE ([email protected])
"As well as the injuries to festival-goers, police were pelted with cans and other objects, vehicles were overturned and several fires were lit," police said in a statement.
Police said the riot was well-planned and coordinated by a core group of festival-goers who were "intent on causing trouble". There was an "extremely high" level of intoxication.
Tairawhiti Area Commander Inspector Sam Aberahama said there had been trouble at previous festivals, but last night's riot had been the worst.
"This was an intentional riot that was fuelled by alcohol. It was obvious a plan had been put in place by the main agitators, which quickly spread through the campgrounds. We used every available police resource to try to keep control of the crowds," Mr Aberahama said.
Mr Aberahama said police were extremely concerned about the level of disorder.
"A definite mob mentality quickly developed amongst the crowd. It was dangerous for everyone - festival-goers, police, ambulance staff and security staff. It was pure luck that someone didn't lose their life."
BW Summer Festival is touted as New Zealand's "premier beachside camping festival". It runs alongside Gisborne's Rhythm and Vines, and hosts up to 15,000 campers for five days, featuring two nights of concerts at the Soundshell outdoor theatre.
Police said about 7000 people attended the festival, in which campers could bring unlimited amounts of alcohol into the campsites. Police said they had been unsuccessful in their attempts to oppose the festival's BYO licence.
Mr Aberahama said the riot began when groups from two neighbouring campgrounds confronted each other at a dividing fence. "That fence was quickly pushed over and both groups began fighting. The disorder then spread throughout the rest of the site."
The nature and seriousness of the injuries was not specified early today.
St John Regional Manager Stephen Smith said most of the injuries were from projectiles being thrown. People were also injured during crowd surges.
"There were a number of people who weren't interested in causing trouble and just wanted to have a good time without incident. It's a shame they had their night ruined."
Police said those arrested would face various charges ranging from disorderly behaviour to assault.
Mr Aberahama said police resources and festival security staff were stretched to the limit and extra staff had to be called in from the Rhythm and Vines festival.
Earlier today the BW Festival organisers posted a photogragh on Facebook of "the oven" - their facility to house troublemakers onsite.
"This is where you may end up spending your New Year's Eve at BW Summer Festival if you don't play by the rules," they said.
"It has the most up-to-date shiny chrome trendy interior decor and is compact enough to hold 20 guests at a time. It also comes with high-level security grills so you don't feel unsafe.
"There's not much air-conditioning so you will be all snugly and warm. It's all onsite so you don't even have to leave your camping ground. And did we mention there are four of these lovely little chalets, all waiting for guests. We're taking bookings now for tonight, so get in quick before the rush. "
- NZ Herald (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/)
Copyright ©2015, APN New Zealand Limited
Click here to view the whole thread at www.sammyboy.com (http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?196933-RIOTS!-This-is-what-happens-without-the-PAP-in-charge&goto=newpost).
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/themes/1/img/printLogo.png
New Year's riot: 63 arrested and 83 hurt at Gisborne's BW Summer Festival
7:38 AM Thursday Jan 1, 2015
http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/20151/riotcage_220x147.jpg
The Hawke's Bay police had this holding area ready for any trouble-makers before the violence last night. Photo / Facebook
Sixty-three people were arrested and 83 injured, including seven who needed hospital treatment, following a massive New Year's Eve riot in Gisborne.
Police said the riot broke out about 5.30pm and lasted for three hours in two campgrounds being used for the BW Summer Festival.
DO YOU KNOW MORE? CONTACT THE HERALD HERE ([email protected])
"As well as the injuries to festival-goers, police were pelted with cans and other objects, vehicles were overturned and several fires were lit," police said in a statement.
Police said the riot was well-planned and coordinated by a core group of festival-goers who were "intent on causing trouble". There was an "extremely high" level of intoxication.
Tairawhiti Area Commander Inspector Sam Aberahama said there had been trouble at previous festivals, but last night's riot had been the worst.
"This was an intentional riot that was fuelled by alcohol. It was obvious a plan had been put in place by the main agitators, which quickly spread through the campgrounds. We used every available police resource to try to keep control of the crowds," Mr Aberahama said.
Mr Aberahama said police were extremely concerned about the level of disorder.
"A definite mob mentality quickly developed amongst the crowd. It was dangerous for everyone - festival-goers, police, ambulance staff and security staff. It was pure luck that someone didn't lose their life."
BW Summer Festival is touted as New Zealand's "premier beachside camping festival". It runs alongside Gisborne's Rhythm and Vines, and hosts up to 15,000 campers for five days, featuring two nights of concerts at the Soundshell outdoor theatre.
Police said about 7000 people attended the festival, in which campers could bring unlimited amounts of alcohol into the campsites. Police said they had been unsuccessful in their attempts to oppose the festival's BYO licence.
Mr Aberahama said the riot began when groups from two neighbouring campgrounds confronted each other at a dividing fence. "That fence was quickly pushed over and both groups began fighting. The disorder then spread throughout the rest of the site."
The nature and seriousness of the injuries was not specified early today.
St John Regional Manager Stephen Smith said most of the injuries were from projectiles being thrown. People were also injured during crowd surges.
"There were a number of people who weren't interested in causing trouble and just wanted to have a good time without incident. It's a shame they had their night ruined."
Police said those arrested would face various charges ranging from disorderly behaviour to assault.
Mr Aberahama said police resources and festival security staff were stretched to the limit and extra staff had to be called in from the Rhythm and Vines festival.
Earlier today the BW Festival organisers posted a photogragh on Facebook of "the oven" - their facility to house troublemakers onsite.
"This is where you may end up spending your New Year's Eve at BW Summer Festival if you don't play by the rules," they said.
"It has the most up-to-date shiny chrome trendy interior decor and is compact enough to hold 20 guests at a time. It also comes with high-level security grills so you don't feel unsafe.
"There's not much air-conditioning so you will be all snugly and warm. It's all onsite so you don't even have to leave your camping ground. And did we mention there are four of these lovely little chalets, all waiting for guests. We're taking bookings now for tonight, so get in quick before the rush. "
- NZ Herald (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/)
Copyright ©2015, APN New Zealand Limited
Click here to view the whole thread at www.sammyboy.com (http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?196933-RIOTS!-This-is-what-happens-without-the-PAP-in-charge&goto=newpost).