Four people have been charged following a disorder incident outside Whakatāne District Court on Wednesday.

Police Senior Sergeant Cam MacKinnon said the incident outside the front doors of the court involved “competing factions of people who didn’t like each other.

“A number of people were arrested in regards to their behaviour, which occurred with them fighting in the middle of the street.”

He said police had zero tolerance for such behaviour.

“Anyone who decides to continue to behave in this manner out front of the court can expect to meet a policeman and expect to be arrested.”