WAGGA police were called to intervene in an 'all-in brawl' at the weekend where two families were allegedly in dispute.
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Between 40-50 people were involved in the fight which took place about 2.30am on Saturday on Raye street.
Officers were attacked with bottles and offensive language on arrival at the scene, according to Riverina Police District Acting Inspector Stephen Marshall, who said a total of 11 police units from across the district attended alongside the dog squad.
"At that time our focus was to assist a man lying unconscious on the ground," Acting Inspector Marshall said.
Five adult males and two adult females were arrested over the brawl, but released on conditional bail until March 10, where Acting Inspector Marshall said they will face "an array of charges including affray, offensive conduct, resist and hinder police, as well as failure to obey move on direction".
Police believe the incident stemmed from two disputing families in the suburb, with Acting Inspector Marshall pleading for those involved to seek assistance.
"We are appealing to those families and the Tolland community in general to help us help you," he said.
"We are prepared to get down and engage with those parties and bring a stop to all this violence. It has been going on for a couple of weeks, and we just won't tolerate it.
"If [the families] can tell us what their problems are, we can help them sort it out."
In other news:
The full list of those arrested and charged includes:
- A 23-year-old man charged with behave in offensive manner in/near public place/school, and resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty.
- A 29-year-old man charged with affray, and behave in offensive manner in/near public place/school.
- A 20-year-old woman charged with refuse/fail to comply with direction.
- A 29-year-old man charged with behave in offensive manner in/near public place/school.
- A 27-year-old man charged with resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty, and behave in offensive manner in/near public place.
- A 31-year-old man charged with affray, and behave in offensive manner in/near public place/school.
- A 38-year-old woman charged with resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty, behave in offensive manner in/near public place, refuse/fail to comply with direction.
The incident has sparked a crackdown on crime in the suburb, according to Acting Inspector Marshall, who said police would be on high alert.
"We are not going to take a backwards step when it comes to antisocial behaviour, so Tolland can expect in the next couple of weeks an increased and continual [police] presence," he said.
"We will be targeting antisocial behaviour and alcohol fueled violence, and will be in Tolland whenever we are not at any other job."
The man found unconscious by police on arrival was conveyed to Wagga Base Hospital, as well as two others, one of which Acting Inspector Marshall said was for treatment of the effects of capsicum spray used to control the brawl.
He said police are reviewing any footage to determine if further arrests will be made.