Police kicked, spat at and bitten by couple

Police officers were kicked, bitten and spat at by a Dunedin couple, whom they had coaxed out of bushes near the Forsyth Barr Stadium early on Saturday morning.

Police were called to the stadium site at midnight following reports a male and female were shifting traffic cones in the area.

Acting Senior Sergeant Chris McLellan said officers at the scene spent 10 minutes coaxing the couple from some bushes nearby.

"Then they came out with a round of verbal and physical abuse."

During the couple's tirade, which included spitting and swearing at the officers, a male constable was bitten on the forearm by the 36-year-old man.

Both the man and his 36-year-old partner continued to spit and verbally abuse the officers as they were taken to Dunedin Central Police Station, where the woman kicked another male officer in the groin.

"It was just disgusting behaviour," Sgt McLellan said.

At the station the couple were found in possession of a digital camera, which showed pictures of them inside the stadium site, from where they had earlier been removed by security staff.

The couple were also found in possession of some chains, with police yet to determine who owned the items.

The unemployed man and woman have been charged with being unlawfully on a property, disorderly behaviour, resisting arrest and assaulting police.

They are expected to appear in Dunedin District Court on Thursday.

Sgt McLellan said the bitten officer was given the appropriate shots as a precaution, but it was unfortunate police were coming under "increased abuse from people".

"It is not uncommon for the guys to be spat at. And you have to have your wits around you at all time."

In another incident, a Dunedin teenager took a swing at a dog-handler early on Friday morning.

The dog-handler stopped to check on the welfare of a 15-year-old boy found wandering South Dunedin streets early on Friday.

Sgt McLellan said the teenager, who took a swing at the officer, had been referred to Youth Aid.

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