Boozed-up partygoers light flares, spark chaos as thousands pack St Kilda beach
Footage of wild partygoers lighting flares at St Kilda beach has emerged as thousands flocked to the foreshore for music and dancing. It comes as one maskless man allegedly punched and bit police during a violent scuffle. WATCH
Inner South
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Dramatic scenes have unfolded at St Kilda beach as thousands of partygoers sparked chaos lighting flares, with one maskless man allegedly punching and biting police during a violent scuffle.
Thousands of people swarmed the popular beach as temperatures soared above 30C on Thursday.
Footage obtained by Leader shows wild partygoers lighting flares and dozens of people yelling, dancing and chanting on the foreshore.
It comes as hundreds of people, not wearing masks or social distancing, descended on St Kilda beach last week watched by a heavy police presence.
A 29-year-old maskless man allegedly interfered with a number of police horses after a fight broke out between a group of people on the foreshore.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the man was warned for not wearing a mask and was asked to leave the area.
“The 29-year-old man was again seen in the area without a mask and refused to stop and talk to police. He then became aggressive and punched and bit police when officers attempted to speak to him and OC spray was deployed,” the spokeswoman said.
The Reservoir man was arrested and has been charged and bailed with assault related offences.
He was also found to be in breach of the directions issued by the Chief Health Officer and was issued penalty notices.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said rowdy beachgoers with a “disregard for public behaviour” were moved on.
He said there was a number of public order issues throughout the night.
“It was a very busy, hot night and we were down there in reasonable numbers and there were some issues,” Mr Patton told 3AW.
The chaos came as officers cracked down on drunken beachgoers at Seaford beach.
Dozens of drunks, including children, witnessed scuffling, swearing and yelling in front of families.
It’s believed the groups catch public transport from suburbs including Cranbourne and Dandenong before loading up on alcohol and spilling out onto the foreshore.
A young woman, who did not want to be named, told Leader Seaford had become a hotspot for youths to meet up and run amok.
“They have easy access going on the bus from Cranbourne straight to the beach – most of these kids are from there,” she said.
“They used to always start trouble at Frankston but due to the heavy police presence there, they’ve moved onto Seaford.”
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