Five people, including four teenagers, have been charged following an alleged affray at a shopping centre in Coffs Harbour.
Police were called to the shopping centre on the Pacific Highway about 12:50 pm on Monday after reports of an affray. Officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District were told two people had been assaulted.
While at the scene, police allegedly saw two 16-year-old girls involved in a physical altercation. At the same time, officers allegedly saw a 15-year-old boy carrying a set of bicycle handlebars running towards a 20-year-old man.
Police stopped the boy and a 17-year-old girl who was with him.
According to police, the boy, allegedly armed with the handlebars, lunged towards the girl before allegedly lunging at officers. Police used OC spray and a Taser to arrest him.
While officers were arresting the boy, the 17-year-old girl allegedly acted aggressively towards police, who deployed OC spray a second time.
Police allege the 17-year-old then ran from officers and became involved in a physical altercation with one of the 16-year-old girls.
Police arrested the two 16-year-old girls and the 20-year-old man, who was found nearby.
A hammer and the bicycle handlebars were seized. Police said no injuries were reported.
All four were taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station. A short time later, the third 16-year-old girl attended the station, where she was arrested.
The 15-year-old boy and the 20-year-old man were each charged with affray and using an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence.
The three girls were each charged with affray.
The 15-year-old boy and one of the 16-year-old girls were refused bail and were due to appear before a children’s court on Tuesday.
The second 16-year-old girl and the 17-year-old girl were granted conditional bail to appear before a children’s court on 13 July.
The 20-year-old man was granted conditional bail to appear before Coffs Harbour Local Court on 12 August.
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