Australians smash Christmas

Melbourne’s city foreshore was trashed by revellers and an out-of-control Sydney beach party was shut down by police.

Rubbish left at Melbourne’s St.Kilda foreshore. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Melbourne’s city foreshore was trashed by revellers and an out-of-control Sydney beach party was shut down by police as Australians had themselves a very Merry Christmas.

Victoria Police say about 5000 people descended on St Kilda foreshore and the level of public intoxication prompted the closure of two lanes of traffic. A 27-year-old man was hit by a tram, a drunken 27-year-old woman had to be taken to hospital, others were injured from stepping on broken glass, two were arrested for being drunk in a public place and there was a report of an assault.

In Sydney, two women have been charged after allegedly assaulting police with bottles at the Maroubra beach party.

Christmas revellers who were pushed and pepper sprayed by police at the unauthorised party have questioned the tactics used by officers.

Police were called to Little Bay, south of Maroubra, on Monday afternoon after reports of the large backpacker gathering and arrived to find approximately 3000 people drinking, singing and dancing.

Little Bay: Two women charged with assaulting police. The incident occurred while police were trying to break-up an unauthorised party in a designated alcohol-free zone. https://t.co/tFwwpgXhbD #LittleBay #7News pic.twitter.com/7tQcpZyM5H

— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) December 25, 2017

Footage of the aftermath of the party shows officers attempting to disperse the gathering.

One video posted on Facebook shows at least four women being pushed to the ground, including two who landed on the road, as officers doused others with pepper spray.

Stephen Minshaw, who was injured, said police were hitting people with batons as they tried to leave.

“I don’t get why the police needed to use force,” he told the Seven Network. “We’re backpackers, we’re not going to ... fight back against them.” He denied the party had gotten out of hand.

Other social media users responded to the footage by labelling the police response as “unnecessarily violent”, “ridiculous” and going “way too far”. A police spokeswoman said she wasn’t able to comment on the videos or police tactics.

Two women aged 23 and 25 were charged with assaulting a police officer, while the younger was also charged with causing actual bodily harm. They are expected before Waverley Local Court on January 31.

AAP