Weapons searches in Rye as schoolies partygoers clash with police again

Weapons searches will be carried out in Rye after ugly scenes involving schoolies played in the Mornington Peninsula town over the past week, with unruly partygoers again clashing with police overnight.

Weapons searches will be carried out in Rye after ugly scenes involving schoolies in the Mornington Peninsula town in the past week, with unruly partygoers clashing with police overnight.

The seaside foreshore and immediate surrounds has been declared a designated area for a weapons search, with the Public Order Response Team, Mounted Branch and Dog Squad also to be involved in the increased patrols.

SCHOOLIES RAMPAGE ON MORNINGTON PENINSULA

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The dog squad was last night called in as police were pelted with bottles, with officers initially responding to out-of-control parties in Rye and Blairgowrie.

The groups of partygoers, aged in their late teens to early 20s, then moved to Rye Pier.

Chaos broke out in Rye this week as unruly schoolies lit flares in the town. Picture: Jason Edwards

Schoolies at Rye throw flares. Picture: Jason Edwards

A wild brawl erupted at the pier with several people sustaining minor injuries.

Some of those caught up in the incident told the Sunday Herald Sun they were terrified and ran for cover as riot control officers stepped in.

Sharnara Ryan said the heavy police backup arrived about 2.30am with some officers threatening to arrest those that did not leave.

“The riot squad started marching between the groups of people who were just standing around and officers started yelling at everyone and arresting people if they were too close,” she said.

Ms Ryan questioned the level of force police used when attempting to move the unruly crowd on.

“They started tackling and hurting people as I was running away because all we could hear was screaming and the police dogs going crazy,” she said.

“I was absolutely terrified, I was running for my life.”

Victoria Police has been contacted for comment.

Officers from the Public Order Response Team and Dog Squad, were called to wrestle back control near Rye’s foreshore.

Police spokesman Luke Zammit said the lawless revellers began throwing bottles at police as soon as they arrived, forcing officers to use capsicum spray.

“Upon arrival, the crowd began throwing bottles at police, with capsicum spray used at the scene,” he said.

Two of the party goers are expected to be issued with infringement notices for riotous behaviour, and an investigation into the brawls continues.

The incident comes only days after hundreds of boozed-up school leavers took to the streets, transforming the main foreshore into a wild party zone.

On Thursday night flares were set off and thrown into packed, intoxicated crowds which drew a heavy police response.

Riot police in Rye last Saturday.

RIOT POLICE, HELICOPTER SWARM TO MORNINGTON PENINSULA

Rye Yacht Club secretary Peter Kinsman said the number of people celebrating schoolies in Rye and Blairgowrie had grown significantly in recent years.

“The numbers seem to have jumped and I’m not sure why that is,” he said.

“We’ve seen more people around, maybe it’s cheaper to stay in Victoria rather than heading interstate or overseas.”

Mr Kinsman said the club had enjoyed a good relationship with schoolies in recent years and it was only a small few that misbehaved.

Two people are expected to be issued with infringement notices for riotous behaviour.

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