AROUND 50 German teenagers rioted trying to free a 15-year-old reveler from police custody after he disrupted a school-leavers party, police confirmed Friday.

Only a large-scale show of force restored order after the teens threw bottles at the windows of the police station in the Bavarian town of Starnberg, near Munich, and tried in vain to break open the entrance door late Thursday.

A window was smashed and officers from neighboring towns were called in to help restore order.

“Only through a massive deployment... could the situation on site be brought under control,” said a statement from Bavarian police.

Three teens were arrested and charged with attempting to free a prisoner and damage to property.

Events had escalated after police were called to a disturbance at a school-leavers party in the affluent rural town Thursday night.

A 15-year-old, who appeared drunk, “provoked and insulted” officers in “an aggressive manner” and refused to leave.

After the youth was taken into custody, a group of teenagers left the party and tried to storm the police station, which led to the riot.

Police, who are considering a wide range of charges including attempted assault and battery, stepped up patrols Thursday night.

In an open letter, those involved apologized.

“Our school community wanted to celebrate a friendly get-together to sign off the academic year,” read the statement.

“We are very sorry this escalated.”

(SD-Agencies)