Partygoers trash Airbnb rental in Ringwood
A quiet Ringwood street turned to chaos after scores of people had to be capsicum sprayed by police during an out-of-control party at an Airbnb rental. And nearby residents say it’s not the first time they’ve been woken by loud partying in the street.
VIC News
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An out-of-control party at a Ringwood Airbnb property led to swarms of partygoers brawling in the street, with police forced to use capsicum spray to subdue violent groups of young people
Dozens of police flocked to Collett Ave about 4.25am on Sunday, February 16, after residents phoned 000 about groups fighting in the street.
Croydon Acting Sergeant Jason Smith said police found 70-80 people aged 18-22 spread between a house party and in the street in Collett Ave and on Mullum Mullum Rd.
Some tried to stop police from entering the house, causing them to use capsicum spray to shut the party down.
Acting Sgt Smith said the public response team, dog squad and several other police units were used to help disperse the large group.
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He said it took police more than two hours to clear everyone from the area, with most of the party goers needing to find a way home to the northern and western suburbs.
Acting Sgt Smith said no one was arrested but one man would be pursued for hindering police.
He said the property didn’t appear to have sustained any damage, but police were continuing to invesitage.
Several residents living in Collett Ave and nearby streets, who did not want to be named, said they woke to noise and saw people and police all over the roads, but they didn’t know which house was being rented out.
“It went for quite a long time, it was very bad,” one woman said.
Another woman told Maroondah Leader she wasn’t particularly alarmed by the incident because her family had been repeatedly woken to people screaming in nearby streets.
“It actually happens regularly,” she said. “I’m kind of used to it.”
She said the night before the party, her children were woken by a screaming fight and had seen a woman lying on the road, but didn’t know if it was linked to the Airbnb party.
An Airbnb spokesman said the company “unequivocally condemns this behaviour” and they would work with Victoria Police to ensure those responsible were held accountable.
“Unauthorised and open invite parties are expressly banned on our platform and the wrongdoers have been removed,” a spokesman said.
“While negative incidents are extremely rare, bad behaviour has no place on Airbnb.
“We enforce strict policies that may result in removal from our platform where violations occur.”
It comes after other recent incidents at Melbourne short-stay rentals, including:
– A wild party in Pakenham with more than 300 trespassers that caused thousands of dollars in property damage
– A brawl involving up to 80 people that spilt out of a Box Hill North property and terrorised neighbours
– A mob of up to 70 youths running riot after booking a house in a Mont Albert North street
And three Melbourne councils are considering introducing local laws to crack down on “party houses”.
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Anyone with information about the Ringwood incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au