There is an increased police presence in Hamilton and ambulance staff have been issued with "lightweight tactical vests" in case a planned brawl on Friday ...
Ambulance workers in the heart of Hamilton city have been ordered to don stab-proof vests on their jobs today, following reports of a scheduled gang scrap.
That’s just tragically sad for our city that people would want three neighbourhoods to come together and harm each other,” she said. The St John Ambulance service confirmed to the Herald all ambulance staff working within Hamilton City boundaries have been issued lightweight tactical vests “in light of the event this afternoon”. ‘Battle of the hoods’: Ambulance workers to wear ballistic vests ahead of gang scrap
Reports of a planned mass brawl called “Battle in the Hood” has prompted a warning from police to two Lower Hutt schools.
It is one of several acts of violence to take place there. * However, the brawl failed to materialise. [A 16-year-old girl had her head stomped on and was held at knifepoint in August](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/129512284/teen-allegedly-assaulted-cut-and-stomped-on-by-group-of-youths-at-bus-stop) and in 2020 an 11-year-old girl reported being chased from the bus stop after her friend was punched in the face when they made eye contact with a group of youths. [a 15-year-old school girl and her friend were attacked by another group of girls](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/130468954/mum-fears-there-will-be-a-death-after-two-girls-bashed-by-group-at-bus-stop) at the bus stop while onlookers filmed the incident. [fliers had been circulating on social media for a “Battle in the Hood”](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/131184114/mayor-disgusted-at-street-fight-event-circulating-on-social-media).
Hutt Valley parents have been warned of a planned violent fight between young people this afternoon, which is a likely copycat event from Hamilton's “battle ...
That’s just tragically sad for our city that people would want three neighbourhoods to come together and harm each other,” she said. “Police will be deployed to the area and will be actively monitoring for any unlawful activity, taking enforcement action if and when appropriate.” Hutt Valley parents have been warned of a planned violent fight between young people this afternoon, which is a likely copycat event from Hamilton’s “battle of the hoods”.
Earlier today Hamiltonians were warned to stay away from their city centre because of a potential brawl spurred on by social media. Tauranga Police say it would ...
Police said they will continue to have a high-visibility presence in Hamilton over the weekend.
Watch: A community leader has warned the planned brawl in Hamilton could happen earlier. Credits: Images – AM, Newshub; Video – AM.
“That’s the really sad part for me is that it incites people to use weapons and hurt each other. Concerningly, part of the advertisement said “weapons aloud” and “stab for stab”. “The safety of our people is paramount and we are not prepared to put our staff at risk in situations that may prove dangerous, so have issued vests as a precautionary measure. However, he doesn’t know where or when. “We know that we have to tackle some crime issues in the city and you can’t take these things lightly.” However, a community leader has warned the planned brawl in Hamilton could happen earlier and the post circulating on social media is a “distraction”.
Watch: A community leader has warned the planned brawl in Hamilton could happen earlier. Credits: Images – AM, Newshub; Video – AM.
“That’s the really sad part for me is that it incites people to use weapons and hurt each other. Concerningly, part of the advertisement said “weapons aloud” and “stab for stab”. However, he doesn’t know where or when. The fight is planned to happen at the bus exchange where Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate told AM there have been a few youth fights before but “nothing of this nature”. A community leader has warned the planned brawl in Hamilton could happen earlier and the post circulating on social media is a “distraction”. [the event](https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2023/02/hamilton-mayor-disgusted-at-reports-of-a-planned-central-city-fight.html) titled “Battle of the Hoods 2023” has gained attention on social media.