Nine more people have been arrested and charged in relation to a gang brawl on the steps of Palmerston North District Court which left a man critically injured earlier this month.
Police were called to the public entrance of the courthouse on July 16 at around 10am following reports of the altercation.
A 33-year-old man was arrested and charged at the time and was due to reappear in Palmerston North District Court on August 18, charged with fighting in a public place and theft from a person.
Manawatū acting area commander Inspector Phil Ward said the investigation team worked to identify and locate those believed to be involved, culminating in nine further arrests.
He thanked court security staff and attending police for their "swift response and decisive intervention".
"They put themselves directly in harm’s way to separate the group, and ultimately prevented this situation from escalating further," he said.
"Violence of this nature will not be tolerated, and we remain committed to holding those believed to be responsible to account."
The nine additional people, aged 15 to 33, would appear in Palmerston North District Court throughout August, facing charges of fighting in a public place, assault with intent to injure, and criminal damage.
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