Rowdy partygoers banned from Geelong CBD

Up to 50 partygoers have been banned from Geelong night-life venues amid revelations by police about the number of assaults in the city centre.

Up to 50 party goers have been banned from venues throughout Geelong’s night life precinct, as police reveal CBD assaults are on the decline.

Geelong Liquor Licensing Unit Sergeant Andrew Harris said patrons were “more mature” following two years of restrictions, resulting in less crime in Geelong’s city centre.

Up to 50 people have been banned from around 40 venues including function spaces across Geelong since May 2021.

It comes as a significant decrease from the 50 patrons banned between January and May of last year.

Sergeant Harris said police would increase their presence during weekends where large crowds were expected to be in the city.

He said additional units were called into the CBD last weekend in anticipation of anti-social and unruly behaviour with a number of major events taking place, however no major incidents unfolded.

Geelong Police have revealed CBD assaults are on the decline. Picture: file photo

It comes as the Great Australian Beer Festival and Wildfighter event took place across the CBD as well as the region welcoming a return to local football and netball.

Sergeant Harris said ID scanners have continued to assist police and local venues by keeping known trouble makers off premises.

“People who muck up in a venue are slapped with a ban stopping them from going out with their friends for 12 months,” he said.

Venues who form part of the liquor accord will not permit banned patrons from entering any of its premises within the 12-month period.

Sergeant Harris said most venues in Geelong were involved in the accord, with separate agreements for venues on the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast.

Geelong’s acting Superintendent Peter Nichols said the vast majority of people have celebrated their post lockdown freedoms in a safe manner.

“With pubs and licensed venues back to full capacity over the summer period, we saw large numbers of people enjoying themselves again after a tough year,” he said

“Some took their celebrations too far, getting involved in fights and injuring others who were simply trying to enjoy themselves.”

Mr Nichols said to reduce violent behaviour community members need to ensure they are drinking responsibly and looking out for their mates.

“Police continue to maintain a visible presence in and around licensed venues in Geelong, including regular walk-throughs on busy nights, to stop violence before it happens.”

Alarming number of wild drivers fleeing police

Reckless offenders are failing to stop for police at an alarming rate, new data shows.

New Crime Statistics Agency data shows there were 974 fail to stop under police direction offences recorded in Greater Geelong between 2017 and 2021.

During this period 169 dangerous driving while being pursued by police offences were recorded and 11 offences were issued for negligent driving while being pursued by police.

Across the Surf Coast there were 48 fail to stop under police direction offences recorded during the same period and nine dangerous driving while being pursued by police offences.

In Queenscliff just two fail to stop on police direction offences were recorded.

Geelong Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Craig Stevens urged drivers to follow police direction while driving.

Police in pursuit of a reckless driver at night

“There is only ever one option when you’re driving and police lights appear in your rear view mirror directing you to stop – pull over immediately,” Sergeant Stephens said.

“Anyone who drives at high speed and erratically on our roads is not only a significant danger to themselves, but the entire community.”

Sergeant Stephens said many offenders committed the offences because they “panicked” but stressed that this was also dangerous.

“However, the overwhelming majority of these offences are nothing like the car chases you see in the movies.

“More often than not they relate to a driver who panics when they see police lights and duck down a side street, only to be pulled over a short distance later.

“This could be someone who has had a few drinks over dinner and is concerned they may be over the limit, rather than a hardened criminal evading police at high speed through Moorabool Street.

“But regardless of the reason, drivers who fail to stop on police direction are committing an offence, and they will be held to account.”

Originally published as Rowdy partygoers banned from Geelong CBD