Collingwood brawl: Legal ‘observers’ were at event

A LEGAL service which hammered Victoria Police in a racial-profiling case had “observers” at a Collingwood function that turned into a brawl. Force insiders suspect the ­observers’ presence may have affected how police handled the event for fear of complaints.

A LEGAL service which hammered Victoria Police in a racial-profiling case had “observers” at a Collingwood weekend function that turned into a brawl.

The Flemington and Kensington Community Legal Centre was represented at the ill-fated record label event on Saturday night at which a crowd of 200 people — mostly African-Australians and Pacific ­islanders — brawled in the street.

Force insiders suspect the ­observers’ presence may have affected how police handled the event, for fear of complaints.

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The Herald Sun has been told local police, concerned trouble would erupt, had asked for more resources but were refused by command.

“They didn’t want to be seen to be targeting a particular demographic,” a source told the Herald Sun.

“There are some angry people on the front line. They raised concerns, and command decided it was going to be business as usual.”

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But acting Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill said yesterday command had not rejected such a request and it was “nonsense” to suggest Victoria Police was fearful of being seen to be making a particular demographic a target.

“We deal with criminal ­behaviour and anti-social ­behaviour, not what colour skin you have,” Mr Hill said.

“We learned of a potential risk. We went through a risk assessment exercise, we determined the numbers required, and they were deployed.”

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding an incident in Collingwood early this morning. Police have been told up to 200 people were leaving an event at a licensed premisesÕ in Smith Street near Mater Street when a fight broke out about 2.45am.

Police have been told up to 200 people were leaving an event when the violence started.

The legal service spearheaded a landmark lawsuit against Victoria Police which the force settled out of court while admitting racial profiling of African youths in 2013.

On Monday, it emerged that the Fitzroy Legal Service was involved in talks with police before the weekend event.

Victoria Police is facing criticism for being ill-prepared and failing to respond to mayhem at the Gasometer Hotel after a rap record launch.

The Gasometer Hotel. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

A maintenance worker repairs a damaged road sign on Smith Street Collingwood after Sunday morning’s riot. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Seven people were injured as youths threw wild punches and vandalised cars.

Police today corrected their comment from yesterday saying an 18-year-old who was injured had not had his leg amputated, despite them saying he had.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill said on Monday: “We had one male person with a significant leg injury.

“I can report sadly today I have just learnt that leg needed to be amputated. That person has lost his leg as a result of these despicable actions on behalf of the driver.”

But a Victoria Police spokeswoman said: “Please be advised of an update in relation to the medical condition of the 18-year-old Fitzroy man involved in the Collingwood incident on Sunday (2 September).

“The man is being treated for serious leg injuries and the hospital advises that no amputation has occurred.”

Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt said yesterday police were in danger due to significant understaffing.

He said local officers were told the response would be “business as usual”, despite warnings of potential violence three weeks before the event.

“They were aware there was significant potential for violence towards members and within rival groups,” he said. “This is the sort of intelligence that should have thrown up alarm bells. It was an event with a large number of patrons with the capacity to erupt, which clearly it did.

“In an environment where Victoria Police is always having to defend its actions surrounding mass gatherings of young people, it behoves them to put adequate planning in place,” Mr Gatt said.

The aftermath. Picture: AAP

Mater St, the morning after the brawl.

An extra 25 police were said to have been sent, but Mr Gatt said attending officers did not report seeing them.

“It’s unfair for local police to have to respond to incidents that get out of control without dedicated operations,” Mr Gatt said.

“Only a fool would say we don’t have a problem.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Victoria had a “law and order problem”, and the state government was responsible for policing.

“There are a high prop­ortion of Sudanese in New South Wales too. We don’t have that problem,” the PM told 3AW.

“It’s a law and order problem. When you don’t have that patrol, and rule of law enforced, people will take advantage of it.”