Cops use pepperball guns and tasers to break up raging Fourth of July beach party

REVELLERS at a Fourth of July beach party have accused cops of getting too heavy handed when they broke up the gathering.

Videos of the event which happened on Sunday in Michigan, in the US, showed police using pepperball guns and tasers.

The bash took place on North Beach, in South Haven, and cops got involved when fights broke out and bottles got thrown.

Darius Ledbetter, who was at the party, spoke to M Live and said: “People being violent didn't need to be, but police pulling out tasers and pepperballs (only agitated people).”

He added: “I know they have to control the situation, but I think there are other things that could have been done.”

After the event police released a statement explaining their actions: “A large group of individuals became violent necessitating an emergency request for additional police assistance.

“The size and violent nature of the crowd made it unsafe for officers and citizens after subjects in the crowd began throwing bottles at officers and citizens.”

Videos on social media showed one man being arrested because he had allegedly punched a female officer.

In the clip she is hit on the head with a football.

Maxwell Offerman said when people in the crowd started shouting: “Police brutality” and “black lives matter” cops used pepperballs and tasers.

He said: “My run ins with the police were short and dissatisfying.  As public servants, I expect help, or reassurance.

“When I asked what happened, or why was this done, I was shrugged off.

"When an officer was headed towards a fight, even one that was handled, I was pushed away.”

Sgt. Kyle Griffith, from the South Haven Police Department said a number of arrests were made, which ranged from possession of narcotics with intent to distribute, assault, inciting a riot, and open intoxicants.

He added three officers were struck with bottles but didn’t need treatment, and several crowd were injured.