Police investigate illegal firecracker incident as dozens arrested during New Year’s Eve celebrations

A man who allegedly set off an illegal firecracker on New Year’s Eve that struck a woman in the face has been arrested.

A woman could lose her eye after a firecracker exploded in her face.

A man allegedly set off the illegal firecracker at Altona Beach, southwest of Melbourne, on Sunday night during New Year’s Eve celebration.

The woman was hit in the face shortly after midnight, she was taken to hospital with an eye injury.

The man, 20, was one of many arrested by police during festivities.

In Victoria, a major police operation conducted overnight resulted in the arrest of 33 people for various incidents, including assaults, sexual assaults, traffic offences and a robbery

Police are investigating an alleged glassing in Melbourne’s CBD following an altercation between two men on Flinders St about 11.15pm.

One man, understood to be aged in his 40s suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital, while the other remains in custody.

Crowds were largely well behaved. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer

A 27-year old man was also arrested by Victorian police following an alleged stabbing in Newtown, Geelong, on Sunday night.

One man was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while the other sustained minor injuries and did not require hospital treatment.

As hundreds of thousands of people gathered to watch fireworks displays, Victorian Police Assistant Commissioner Mick Grainger said police were pleased with crowd behaviour, with revellers enjoying festivities safely.

“There were only a small number of people who did the wrong thing, but they were dealt with swiftly by police, so the atmosphere was in no way spoiled,” Mr Grainger said.

Nineteen people were arrested across Sydney’s CBD as New Year’s celebrations took place.

Thousands flooded into the city centre on Sunday night to ring in the new year, with more than 225,000 people crowding into 49 vantage points across Sydney to watch the iconic midnight firework display.

NSW Police said the public were largely “well behaved” throughout the festivities, with just 19 arrests made throughout the evening, including assault and drug offences.

Police investigate after three men stabbed in Woolloomooloo on Monday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Police were investigating reports of an alleged stabbing in Woolloomooloo just after midnight on Monday that left three men wounded.

The men were treated for minor injuries.

“Every year Sydney welcomes the new year with an extraordinary celebration across the city, and this year has been no different. Pleasingly the vast majority did so in the right spirit. There were few arrests,” NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke said.

“As people make their way home or continue their celebrations into New Year’s Day, police will continue to maintain a highly visible presence across the state to ensure everyone remains safe.”