At 6am on Wednesday 23rd December 2009, Wellington Police commenced an Operation executing a total of six search warrants at residential addresses in Newtown, Miramar, Hataitai, Strathmore and Churton Park.

The Operation was to locate a number of people associated to a Wellington Street gang who instigated a serious assault outside a Wellington Bar in the early hours of 8th November 2009 leaving four people with serious injuries including broken jaws and ribs.

A total of 32 police staff were involved with this mornings Operation which continued throughout the morning. Detective Sergeant Martin TODD said "We are committed to apprehending those who choose to use violence on our city streets. We will be persistent in our approach and will continue to conduct early morning raids such as this if required"

Five people aged between 25 and 35 years including one female have been charged with serious assault offences and will appear in Wellington District Court this afternoon.

Police will be opposing bail for the four men, one of whom will also face unrelated charges for his unlawful possession of a large quantity of firearm ammunition.