Three Police officers required medical attention yesterday after they attended a disturbance at the Number One Shed during the early hours of the morning.

Police report that around 1.30 a.m., the Police Support Unit (PSU) went to to the Front Street venue where a reggae party was being held.

Officers were told that a man entered the premises despite security officers' attempts to prevent him from doing so. When they entered the party to remove the man, the Police were greeted by the crowd with a hail of bottles, glasses, chairs, tables, fire extinguishers and potted plants. The PSU was able to arrest the man as well as two others but not before three officers received injuries.

A Sergeant received a head wound which required three stitches to close. One constable tore ligaments in his back, while another received scratches the back of his neck along with a wound which also required three stitches.

"I believe it's a volatile cocktail of alcohol and youth," Police spokesman Dwayne Caines told The Royal Gazette yesterday when asked what could have prompted the crowd's aggressive response to the Police presence.

All of the officers were subsequently released from King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH).

In addition to the PSU, senior Police officers, Reserves, Marine Police and officers from the Hamilton, St. George's and Somerset police stations attended the scene.

Meanwhile, in the wake of yesterday's melee, Corporation of Hamilton Secretary Roger Sherratt said last night if outbreaks of violence continue at its venues, the Corporation may discontinue renting the facilities.

"This kind of behaviour is unacceptable," he said. "The Corporation will take a very serious view of this incident."

Mr. Sherratt said the Corporation will be reviewing its policy of renting both Number One and Number Six shed, the latter the scene of a large fight on New Year's Eve.

"I have no doubt that the Corporation will be doing this, especially where alcohol is involved."

And, he said, while the Corporation was always given assurances by party throwers that there will be no violence or youth drinking, they still had to take responsibility for what happens at their events.

"This sort of thing is ruining it for everyone," he said. "In all likelihood, it's safe to say enough is enough."

In a separate incident, around 3.30 a.m. yesterday, Police attended a disturbance at Club Malabar in Dockyard. Upon arrival, they were told someone had been stabbed in the club and taken to KEMH in a private car. However, when questioned, club management said they knew nothing about the incident.

Almost 90 minutes later, Police were called to a disturbance at the hospital, where security personnel told them several people entered the emergency department inquiring about the condition of a man who had been reportedly stabbed at Club Malabar earlier. However, when they were denied past the security booth, a man believed to be a relative of the stabbed man, became violent.

He destroyed a security camera outside the hospital's X-ray room and broke a security officer's eyeglasses before making good his escape.

The suspect is described as being light brown-skinned with short curly hair between 5'6 and 5'8 and is thought to be in his early 20's.

In addition to the incidents at the Number One shed, Club Malabar, and the hospital, Police also attended disturbances outside Club 40, near Captain's Lounge and the Ozone club. As a result, seven men are in Police custody.

In all incidences, Police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward, especially anyone who may have video footage of the events at Number One shed.

They are asking anyone who has information to call Central CID at 295-0011 or the Confidential Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-623-8477.