Police keep watch as crowds flock to St Kilda
Police are out in force in St Kilda tonight following a string of recent violent incidents on the foreshore as thousands flock to the beach as the mercury continues to sit above 30 degrees.
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RIOT police and the mounted unit were in St Kilda again last night following a string of recent violent incidents on the foreshore.
Dozens of youths flocked to the area on Friday as balmy weather continued into the night.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said there were no reports of serious incidents before midnight.
Officers patrolled the area on foot, supported by mounted police. Public Order Response Team vehicles lined bayside streets as police sought to prevent further mayhem in the area.
Sixteen people were arrested in the area on Thursday night for offences including being drunk in a public place, possessing drugs of dependence, attempted robbery, assaulting police, criminal damage and failing to obey lawful direction.
Officers also conducted 123 searches in the area, leading to two people receiving cautions for drug possession, one person charged with possessing a knife and another arrested as a suspect for attempted robbery.
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The blitz came a day after Port Phillip Council voted to ban alcohol and glassware over summer on the St Kilda foreshore, following a series of ugly incidents.
Last weekend, three men were bashed and robbed by a group of about 20 youths at the foreshore.
The victims were ambushed and one was knocked unconscious and then kicked on the ground outside St Kilda Life Saving Club about 11.30pm on Saturday.
Last month, a former chef at Donovans restaurant was badly beaten with an iron bar and knuckledusters by a large gang as he waited for friends to finish work.
A St Kilda venue security guard last night said the higher number of police had made an instant impact.
“It’s made a huge difference for sure,” he told the Herald Sun.
“With this many officers around, you would have to be crazy to try anything.”
President of St Kilda Tourism and Events Travis Atkins earlier told the Herald Sun traders were concerned ahead of summer.
“There’s certainly concern about staff safety and business when it’s warm,” he said.
“Traders are reporting intimidating activity.”
With AAP