Police injured, six arrested as brawl breaks out in Kings Cross
FIRST ON 7 - Six people have been arrested in inner-city Sydney after three police were allegedly assaulted while trying to break up a street brawl recorded by bystanders.
Officers got out capsicum spray to subdue the alleged offenders in the melee that broke out 15 minutes before lockout laws kicked in - but some witnesses told 7 News police tactics were over the top.
Police used the pepper spray to subdue a 19-year-old man at Potts Point in the early hours of Sunday after he allegedly lashed out when officers tried to arrest him for violent behaviour.
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He was arrested despite claims he was not involved, but not before a scuffle with police.
He was tackled to the ground and handcuffed.
Police also used capsicum spray on a 22-year-old woman who allegedly came to the man's aid and attacked officers.
A further four people – three women and a man – were charged, accused of obstructing police during the arrests.
Some claimed the incident was sparked when a woman attacked members of their party, spurring them to get involved before things spiralled out of control.
Police were patrolling the Kings Cross area when the trouble broke out, but one witness said police tactics were heavy handed.
"The guy was jsut asking what he did wrong. He just didn't know," one witness told 7 News.
"He (one of the arrested men) started to get kneed and that's when he lost it and tackled the officer."
The three officers involved escaped with minor injuries.
The six who were arrested will appear in the Downing Centre Local Court on May 31 charged with assaulting and resisting police, and offensive behaviour.