Hostile teens taunt police during testy White Night video
Video footage has emerged depicting hostile teens taunting officers and smashing glass bottles near police horses during a testy encounter at White Night festival on Saturday night. WATCH HERE
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Hostile teens taunted police as violence threatened to erupt at White Night festival on Saturday night.
A large number of police, including the mounted branch, descended on Federation Square about midnight after a fight broke out between rival youths.
Video footage captures them breaking glass bottles near police horses and one teen throwing liquid on police while yelling ‘f--k the pigs’ as the youths were ordered to move on.
Others can be heard screaming as the horses were used to disperse large crowds.
Sixteen people were arrested and 135 penalty notices were issued over the course of the three-night festival.
A Victoria Police spokesman could not provide details for the nature of arrests or incidents that unfolded overnight.
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However, arrests from previous nights include trafficking and possessing drugs, possessing a weapon and for outstanding arrests.
More than 500 police swarmed the city each night to keep the public safe.
Officers were joined by Sudanese and Maori community leaders to engage with youths.
Senior state government minister Jacinta Allan said off the back of White Night that it had been a “huge weekend” in Melbourne.
“It is amazing for the middle of winter to have so many people out and about whether enjoying White Night, record crowds at the footy, the big Boomers USA game,” she said,
“It really does showcase the best of our city and state.”
A record 718,000 attendees turned out over White Night’s three days.
Sixteen males, aged 15 between 19, were arrested last week over high-end violence linked to violent street gangs.
Police swooped on the teens during daylight raids across Melbourne’s south east due to concerns they were planning to inflict violence at the festival.
All but three were bailed on strict conditions.
A significant number of police reportedly descended on Flinders Street station last night due to intelligence a large number of youths were expected to arrive.
It is understood the operation was called off when they did not appear.
Further details of arrests or incidents at the festival will be released on Monday.