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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">Title: Teenage
boys face charges following machete attack on Hamilton officer<BR><BR><BR>Two
juveniles arrested following an alleged attack on a Hamilton Police
<BR>officer have been charged in relation to the incident.<BR><BR>Hamilton City
Area Commander, Inspector Rob Lindsay, said the pair may face <BR>more
serious charges depending on the outcome of interviews being carried out
<BR>today.<BR><BR>The arrests follow officers being called to a Pukete address
shortly before <BR>5pm yesterday after reports of occupants of the home
fighting with weapons.<BR><BR>"As our staff arrived those involved have stopped
fighting and one has lunged <BR>at the officer with a knife, as he avoided
that attack he has drawn his baton <BR>and it is that motion that has
saved him from a machete swung by an offender <BR>who had come up from
behind.<BR><BR>"The tip of the machete has struck the baton, deflecting it and
saving the <BR>officer from harm. From there the Constable has used
pepper-spray to disperse <BR>his attackers who fled into the
house."<BR><BR>Mr Lindsay said officers at the scene had the full range of
tactical options <BR>available to them and it appears they were put to
good use.<BR><BR>"A voice appeal for those involved to come out failed and
officers had to <BR>enter the house to ensure the safety of not only
themselves but other <BR>occupants and the offenders as well."<BR><BR>"A
taser was used to subdue one person and as a result of this incident a
<BR>16-year-old male faces a charge of aggravated assault while a 14-year-old
boy <BR>has been charged with assault with a weapon."<BR><BR>Mr Lindsay
said those involved in yesterday's incident had been drinking and
<BR>there were concerns for Police in relation to people of the boys' age
having <BR>access to alcohol.<BR><BR>"Our staff have dealt with a number
of domestic violence incidents over the <BR>past few days and with the
holiday period still having a way to go we're <BR>asking people to
consider where their drinking is taking them?<BR><BR>"This incident could have
and indeed was close to ending far worse than it <BR>did and we're urging
people in stressful situations to take time out or to <BR>seek help before
it gets out of hand and they find themselves facing serious
<BR>consequences as these two lads are now."<BR><BR>The attacked officer
suffered a black eye and did not require medical <BR>treatment, he resumed
full duties following the incident and Mr Lindsay <BR>commended him for
using those tactical options available to him correctly and <BR>with
confidence.<BR><BR>End</FONT><BR><BR></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>