Torquay party teens earn fines for illegal gathering

Punishments have been issued to five teens over an illegal Torquay party last weekend.

The teenagers behind an illegal Torquay party have fronted up to police for breaching COVID-19 restrictions.

Victoria Police confirmed five teenagers were issued fines over a party hosted at a short-term rental property on Fishos Drive.

A nearby neighbour claims several more people were in attendance but managed to escape police detection by hiding in nearby paddocks.

Police became aware of the illegal gathering during the early hours of Sunday, and found the teenagers hiding in a bedroom upon arrival.

The neighbour said her children would be left having nightmares after their window was smashed by a suspected partygoer, however police are yet to confirm if the incidents are related.

“My kids were lying terrified in bed thinking robbers were going to come in and grab them,” she said.

It is believed residents became frustrated when an alleged fight broke out in the street while another neighbour caught a guest in their backyard, who was later handed over to police.

It is understood that the owner of the rental property did not have prior knowledge of the party.

The incident comes as growing concerns are being raised over whether the state road map will be altered due to a jump in recent case numbers.

Victoria's COVID-19 Commander Jeroen Weimar says most current cases are linked to illegal gatherings, Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Premier Daniel Andrews has blamed the surge on an increasing number of people flouting restrictions as well as AFL grand final parties and other illegal gatherings.

The state’s COVID-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar said about a third of cases were driven by a “significant upswing in social gatherings.”

A $5,452 fine can be issued to anyone found breaching restrictions on gatherings.

Originally published as Torquay party teens earn fines for illegal gathering