Police injured breaking up wild party in Surry Hills unit
Police may issue COVID fines after they were forced to call in the riot squad to deal with a crowd of more than 100 people when a party in a Surry Hills unit block turned violent.
Police & Courts
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Police are considering dishing out COVID fines to in excess of 100 young people after a wild party turned violent.
Police Superintendent Jason France said the party had well over the 20 limited to indoor gatherings.
“Under the current public health order, gatherings are capped at 20 persons per premises, it’s disappointing for police to be confronted with so many people in such a small premises,” Superintendent France said.
“Investigations are currently underway but yes, we are currently looking at issuing fines,” he said.
Two police officers were injured including a female constable who was pulled inside the unit. Occupants were sprayed with capsicum spray before they released her and retreated back inside, locking the door.
Surry Hills police called for backup from nearby stations and the Public Order and Riot Squad to deal with the crowd of more than 100 people.
Police were called to the Nobb St arrest after noise complaint at 1am this morning.
When officers arrived they could hear a large party inside the unit but were unable to gain access as the occupants would not open the door to them.
Police Rescue were called to break down the door but officers on the scene eventually managed to get the door open.
A witness told the Saturday Telegraph it “became quite a dangerous situation as police were severely outnumbered by partygoers.
“I heard reports that partygoers tried to drag police into the unit and close the door,” the witness said. “Other people were jumping off the unit balcony as well.”
Police called for back up and soon up to 60 officers were on site.
“They stormed the unit clearing out the occupants. Some occupants scuffled with police requiring police to use force to quell the uprising.
“There was plenty of screaming going on but after about 15 minutes police had control and started moving on the majority of the partygoers.
At least one man was arrested at the scene and another woman appeared to have a “panic attack” after being capsicum sprayed. The woman, and a male and female constable were taken to St Vincent’s Hospital with minor injuries.
An officer went to St Vincent’s Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Police continued to patrol the surrounding streets and at least two more arrests were made – one on the light rail line on Devonshire Street.
“Police here did a wonderful job of shutting down this party with minimal damage to themselves and others,” the witness said.
A 19-year-old woman was charged with refuse/fail to comply with direction under Part 14 and behave in offensive manner in/near public place/school.
She is due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 21 January 2021.
A second 19-year-old woman was charged with refuse/fail to comply with direction under Part 14 and resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty.
She is due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 28 January 2021.
A 24-year-old man was charged with resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty.
He is due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 20 January 2021.
Initial inquiries indicate the premises was being used as a short-term rental. Inquiries continue.
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