Disturbances at Caroline Bay

Press, 30 December 1976, Page 4

Disturbances at Caroline Bay

PA Timaru A total of 16 youths and two girls were arrested by the police at Caroline Bay last evening after a series of disturbances.

The trouble, which j seemingly had beer.. brewing for most of the; day, erupted about 9i p.m. Groups of youths' ■were taken into custodyl after scuffles with the! police. Most of those arrested, early this morning were ini the cells at the Timaru Police Station awaiting court appearances today. They were arrested on charges ranging from disorderly behaviour to using obscene language and assault. Two o- three young persons were released into the custody of their parents. One youth was in hospital suffering from a head injury. Police reinforcements were

; called for to deal with the I ‘disturbances. At their height,; 'two sergeants and 10 consta-> ;bles were involved, including: ■ at least one constable who I was at Caroline Bav with his I j family. A dog handler was also (brought in to assist, a police spokesman said. A lot of youths had been “hanging II round the bay" for much of :! the day, drinking beer, he ■ 1 said. After a number of ar- ■ rests, a large group milled round the police station at i Caroline Bay. more or less ■ demanding to see their •! friends who were in custody. • I the spokesman said. ' j Attempts were made to dis- • perse the group — and when > some of them refused to ' move, further arrests were made, the spokesman said. Several policemen were > involved in scuffles with the

youths, and suffered bruises and abrasions, and damage 1 > their uniforms.

The two policemen stationed at Caroline Bay for the holiday carnival reported complaints all day from the public about the behaviour of youths in the children’s playground. Three arrests were made at 8 p.m., the youths being charged with fighting in a public place.

Within the next three hours, other youths and the two girls were arrested on charges ranging from disorderly behaviour to using obscene language and assualt.

One of the arrested youths slipped on the steps of a police van and suffered a cut on the head. He was taken to the Timaru Hospital. By 9 p.m., most of the big crowd which was at Caroline Bav had dispersed.