A British tourist who pinched a police officer's bottom was among several people arrested in a spate of alcohol-fuelled incidents in Queenstown at the weekend.
Sergeant Kate Pirovano said between 11pm on Friday and 2am Sunday police were called to 12 incidents, the majority early on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Police issued pre-charge warnings, made arrests and in one case pepper-sprayed offenders.
The alleged offenders - all male - included tourists and some residents.
''Quite honestly, it's just the availability of alcohol [that's causing issues].''
Sgt Pirovano said the majority of people out socialising in the resort had ''pre-loaded'' by drinking at home or at backpackers accommodation, and then went out to drink in the resort's CBD.
''It's not just the bars that are responsible, it's off-licences, too.''
Included in the arrests over the weekend was a 24-year-old Englishman charged with disorderly behaviour following an incident involving a Queenstown policeman just before midnight on Friday.
Sgt Pirovano said the tourist ''thought it would be a good joke to pinch a [male] police officer's derriere.''
At 12.40am on Saturday, police were called to the Athol St car park where a heavily intoxicated male, believed to be Brazilian, was found by a member of the public lying unconscious and face down in a pool of blood.
The man, whose age was unknown, was taken to Lakes District Hospital, but was likely to be transferred to a larger hospital due to his injuries.
There were no CCTV cameras in the area and police were unsure of the circumstances surrounding the incident. At 1.50am yesterday, two Saudi Arabian men were arrested following an incident at Sky Bar.
Sgt Pirovano said there had been an incident inside the bar involving a female patron and as a result one of the men was removed from the bar.
''He fought with the security [staff member], biting him.
''His friend also fought with the security and attempted to bite him.''
Police were called and the men were pepper-sprayed before being arrested.
Inquiries were continuing, she said.
Other arrests
• At 12.05am on Saturday a New Zealander was arrested for disorderly behaviour after pushing a security staff member while trying to get back in to Searle Lane and Social bar after being asked to leave.
At the same time a second man, from Kingston, was arrested for assault after standing behind a bouncer and grabbing him around the neck.
• At 2.15pm on Saturday a 21-year-old Invercargill man was arrested for disorderly and offensive behaviour at the Queenstown Events Centre. Sgt Pirovano said the man had been watching a rugby game and had been ''abusing the referee and spectators'', and continued while police were present.
• A 17-year-old male was arrested and charged with disorderly and offensive behaviour after he attempted to steal a golf cart from Millbrook Resort - he was intercepted by staff from the resort.
• A 25-year-old man was arrested at the Naughty Penguin on Cow Lane at midnight yesterday after abusing another patron. Sgt Pirovano said the alleged offender verbally abused the patron, at the bar, as he was walking past.
The victim attempted to walk away and the offender ''pushed the door into the person, breaking the door''.
• An Australian was arrested for disorderly behaviour at 12.30am in Cow Lane, obstructing police while they were carrying out inquiries in relation to the previous incident. Sgt Pirovano said the man was ''yelling at police and obstructing a car'' and ''just causing a general nuisance''.
''I don't know why people when they get a skinful of alcohol feel the need to intervene,'' Sgt Pirovano said.
