Fans riot

Press, 1 March 1984, Page 1

Fans riot

At least 1000 people broke down fences last evening and poured into Western Springs Stadium where the British rock band, The Police, were playing. Dozens of people were injured and in one incident angry crowds overturned a car and set it on fire, the Press Association reported. Sixty people had been arrested before the band had set foot on stage at 9.30 p.m. Crowds tore down fences right round the stadium. However, after the band had been on stage less than 30 minutes, the police were forced to withdraw and pro-

moters opened the gates to hundreds of young people. Youths stampeded into the stadium, hurling bottles, stones, and cans. Inspector P. A. Keber said that the police had to be withdrawn for their own protection. Threats had been made that cars outside the stadium would be damaged. The concert promoter, Mr Hugh Lynn, said there was no option but to open the gates. “What can I do ... bring

in dogs and jaguars?” he said. In an earlier incident, a man had driven his car through concert-goers outside the stadium. After he hit a woman pedestrian crowds turned on him, upturning the car and setting it on fire. The man escaped uninjured. Inspector Keber said the violence was far worse than that at the Elton John concert at Mount Smart Stadium at the week-end. The police last evening

confiscated drugs, including cannabis and LSD. Many of those arrested were juveniles, said a police spokesman. Ambulance officers dealt with dozens of injured people, many drunk or affected by drugs. Some were aged 11 and 12, Others were treated for head and facial injuries after being hit by missiles thrown into the crowds. At least 10 people were taken to hospital. An ambulance officer said it was one of the busiest nights he had seen at Western Springs. In his view, it was a younger and rougher crowd.