Batons used to break up brawl at Berwick nightclub
POLICE have been accused of being heavy handed after they were forced to use batons to break up a brawl outside a Berwick nightclub. WATCH THE VIDEO
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POLICE were forced to use batons after they were unable to contain a melee outside a Berwick nightclub in the early hours of Saturday morning with pepper spray.
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Emergency services were called to High St in Berwick just after midnight on Friday after they received reports of a group fighting outside Lava Lounge.
When police arrived, a number people were fighting on the street.
“Police deployed OC spray which was not effective and the group continued fighting,” police spokeswoman Melissa Seach said.
“Police were then required to resort to using batons to stop the fighting and separate the parties.”
A 21-year-old woman was assaulted in the brawl.
Eyewitness Danny Wells told Seven News he saw the incident unfold.
“I seen a couple of chicks get hit and thrown to the ground and then a few bouncers came out and try to stop it and then they lost control,” he said.
Footage uploaded to social media shows police yelling at the revellers.
“Get back now, get back now,” police can be heard saying.
Witness Kieran told Nine News the he thought police were heavy handed.
“It didn’t feel right, these people were laying on the ground and they were holding their faces in their hands,” he said.
“They shouldn’t have been getting hit anymore.”
A number of people received infringement notices for being drunk in a public place.
Lava Lounge advertises Friday nights as an over 28s night. A current ad promoters revellers to “get your party on.”
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.