Hyde St keg party on today

Mel Aitken.
Mel Aitken.
Thousands of litres of beer have been chilled and police and student volunteers are at the ready - the Hyde St keg party is back today for another year of revelry and excess.

Almost 4000 tickets have been sold to the annual student blow-out but behaviour is expected to mirror last year's low-key affair.

Last year, 10 people were arrested for minor behavioural offending and 20 people treated at the emergency department.

Of the 20, nine were treated for the effects of alcohol or other substances.

A total of 45 people were treated for injuries at the party, with seven taken to hospital. The total treated was down 15 on the number treated last year.

That trend was expected to continue with the ''good work'' by the Otago University Students' Association ensuring an ''improvement in behaviour at the event'', police said.

Paul Hunt.
Paul Hunt.
''OUSA, as always, have done a good job in assisting the residents of Hyde St to organise this event,'' Otago coastal prevention manager Inspector Mel Aitken said.

OUSA president Paul Hunt said general admission tickets to the event sold out in ''three and a-half minutes'' on Tuesday.

Money from ticket sales would be used to fund the 4000 sausages, 2000 hot cross buns and 15 port-a-loos at the event.

''The past couple of years has seen the majority of revellers behaving in a really community-minded, sensible and pleasant manner,'' Mr Hunt said.

''OUSA took up the challenge to help the residents to continue the party.

''The residents themselves arrange the party, but we came on board to ensure there are stringent safety measures in place.

''One example [is] the limit on numbers through our ticketing system, and a total glass ban at the party.''

Insp Aitken warned Hyde St residents to be vigilant of theft following a surge in recent years.

''We'd also like to take this opportunity to remind students who are attending the party to ensure that their flats are secured while they are at the party,'' she said.

''Over the last two years there has been an increase in burglaries in the Hyde St area while the party is on.''

 

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