Riot police, helicopter swarm to Mornington Peninsula after schoolies brawl
Schoolies celebrations descended into chaos and ugly violence on the Mornington Peninsula and in Bali over the weekend. In Rye Victoria Police’s riot squad was called in when bottles were thrown at officers. WATCH THE VIDEOS
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Schoolies celebrations descended into chaos and ugly violence on the Mornington Peninsula and in Bali over the weekend.
In Rye members of the Public Order Response Team (PORT) came equipped with shields and batons to quell trouble on the Rye foreshore after officers were targeted by a large group of youths.
The trouble began when a bottle was thrown at a single police unit about 9.30pm.
Another police vehicle arrived shortly after before officers decided they needed back-up and called in the PORT — a highly trained specialist squad experienced in dealing with public order-related problems.
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Police said around 150 youths were involved in the incident.
The police helicopter and dog squad were also called in to help contain the chaos.
Video emerged online of youths setting off flares.
No arrests had been made last night, with police struggling to identify which youths threw the bottles.
The investigation is now being handled by local officers.
It comes as shocking video of youths, believed to be Australian schoolies, brawling in Bali has emerged.
A large group of young men could be seen throwing punches and spitting at each other in the 9 News footage taken outside the Sky Garden nightclub in Kuta, Bali.
A man covered his head as three men descended upon him, punching him as he cowered on the street.
Police officers eventually stepped in and broke up the violent all-in brawl.
Speaking about the Rye mayhem Acting Inspector Dean Grande praised the response of the officers and denied police had been heavy-handed.
“One police unit has arrived and someone has thrown a bottle at them,” Acting Insp Grande told the Herald Sun.
“A second police unit was called and they have retreated and called on the PORT for assistance.
“There was not a lot to it. Elements within the crowd wanted to engage in anti-social behaviour and throw stubbies.
“At the end of the day, nobody was injured and the crowd was dispersed.” Acting Insp Grande said it was difficult to tell the exact age of the offenders.
“There is no evidence to suggest they were older; it is hard to tell in a crowd that large,” he said.
Sergeant Chris Russo earlier said that “sporadic fighting” and general anti-social behaviour had broken out.
“The initial police unit that arrived were met with bottles being thrown at them, so for safety they withdrew and we recalculated our response,” he said.
“People need to appreciate, police certainly aren’t trying to ruin anyone’s time, but we certainly don’t need that sort of thing from members of the public.”
Most of the crowd co-operated as police moved them away from the area.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said: “Those participating in schoolies are reminded to be mindful and respectful of the communities they’re celebrating in.
“Police will continue to be on the lookout for anti-social and drunken behaviour.”
LOCALS ‘FRIGHTENED FOR THE KIDS’
Rye residents have described how a spring night in late November descended into chaos when heavily armed riot police were forced to separate brawling youths.
Locals yesterday told the Herald Sun of the scenes that unfolded metres from their homes.
Melbourne couple Judy and Bob Bereau spend six months a year living at the caravan park on the Rye foreshore and said it was unusual to have such a heavy police presence in the area.
“I was frightened for the kids,” Mrs Bereau said.
“I was quite terrified.
“(There was) lots of yelling, mucking around, both boys and girls.
“When you hear ambulance, police and the helicopter, you know there is trouble.”
Schoolie Peter Sepsakos, 17, from the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, said tensions escalated when police arrived.
“It was quiet, people were meeting up, and then police rocked up and then it just escalated,” he said.
“It killed the night.”
Schoolie Luke Donohoe, 17, said he had never seen riot police until Saturday night.
“Police had riot masks on, I’ve never seen the riot stuff before,” he said.
“It’s a bit of a shock when you see it.
“I woke up to a text message (from my parents) saying ‘what happened, explain’.”
Rye resident Richard Smallwood chose to delist his rental property from Airbnb throughout the schoolies period out of concerns for his property.
“The year before, the schoolies had been disrespectful to my house,” he said.
“The people who were trying to book this year weren’t schoolies, they were older boys.”
Mr Smallwood said this year there had been a more proactive marketing campaign for Rye Schoolies, including a website to encourage school leavers to visit the area.