Anti-social behaviour at St Kilda foreshore has dropped since controversial booze ban

Police say St Kilda foreshore’s controversial booze ban has already seen a drop in anti-social behaviour at the popular tourist destination and summer hot spot.

St Kilda’s foreshore booze ban has been a roaring success, with revellers keeping their festive celebrations largely under control during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

But with the weather set to heat up further, Superintendent Tony Silva warned police would continue to patrol the beachfront throughout summer and slap anyone caught carrying an open bottle of alcohol with a $200 fine.

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“Police were generally pleased with crowd behaviour over the festive season and it was great to see people celebrating in a responsible manner,” he said.

“Whilst the ban has only been in place for a short period of time, we have seen a reduction in anti-social and disruptive behaviour.”

The controversial booze ban was introduced last November by Port Phillip Council and forbids grog at the St Kilda seafront from November 1 to March 31 each year.

It followed an out of control party at St Kilda foreshore on Christmas Day 2017 which saw thousands of intoxicated revellers, many of them backpackers, trash the beachfront and saddle ratepayers with a $23,000 clean-up bill.

Ten CCTV cameras are also now in operation along the foreshore at five sites, with footage streamed directly into the St Kilda police station.

Port Phillip Mayor Dick Gross said Christmas and the New Year were peak visitor times for the foreshore and the new 24-hour alcohol ban had played a massive role in preventing crime.

“We are delighted to see more families coming to enjoy this fantastic beach and a massive one-off litter clean-up hasn’t been required, unlike in 2017,” he said.

“Police have told us the St Kilda alcohol ban is proving a valuable tool as it allows them to head-off anti-social behaviour by stopping large amounts of alcohol being taken on to the beach.”

Cr Gross also noted that anyone who still wanted to enjoy a drink at the foreshore could still do so at the precincts many bars and restaurants.

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