Underaged teens descended on Torquay for illegal beach party

Underaged teenagers were allegedly brawling and passing out drunk at a Torquay beach party that spun out of control.

Police were called to Torquay on Thursday as large groups of teens gather at the beach with alcohol in what appeared to be party organised on social media. Picture: Shaun Viljoen

An illegal Torquay beach party spun out of control with underaged teenagers allegedly passing out drunk.

Police were called to the gathering on Thursday night as scores of teenagers descended on the town’s surf beach in what appeared to be a party arranged on social media.

Surf Coast Inspector Monique Leffanue said at least 200 to 300 underaged teenagers were at the gathering, many of them were alcohol affected and had caught the bus in from out of town.

“Police were initially called to reports of brawling in the area,” Insp Leffanue said.

“There were a number of kids who were very poorly behaved and as a result two of them were (capsicum) sprayed for being aggressive.

“They were all underaged … some of the child were arriving with alcohol and some parents were dropping their children off in an alcohol-related state.

“A few of the girls were very drunk and couldn’t stand up.”

Police were called to Torquay beach on Thursday as large groups of teens gather on the hillside with alcohol in what appears to be party organised on social media. Picture: Shaun Viljoen

Insp Leffanue said police drove a number of the teenagers home due to their intoxication.

One holiday-maker who was staying at the caravan park behind the beach said he had to break up at least four fights.

“There were a lot of punch-ons and girls passed out drunk,” he said.

Another longtime local said he saw parents dropping teens off and supplying them with alcohol.

He said under-age drinking, often with the support of parents, was a major issue on the coast.

Witnesses said officers arrived at the gathering about 8pm where the large group had gathered on the nearby hillside, in the car park and at the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club.

Police were called to Torquay beach on Thursday as large groups of teens gather on the hillside with alcohol in what appears to be party organised on social media. Picture: Shaun Viljoen

At least four police vehicles were at the scene before dark and later in the night and a police helicopter flew laps overhead with its spotlight on.

Paramedics were also called to the scene just after 9pm after reports a teenager was injured at the gathering.

“Paramedics treated a boy in his mid-teens for upper body injuries,” an Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said.

“He was taken to Geelong Hospital in a stable condition.”

The hill has long been a popular party destination for young people on New Year’s Eve.

Insp Leffanue had a stern warning for parents to be aware of what their children were doing and to not encourage them to drink underage.

“It is dangerous, these kids are vulnerable … please ensure your kids are safe at all times.

“Police will be paying a lot more attention to this area to ensure the safety of these vulnerable kids, it does get dangerous up there particularly when they are alcohol-affected and some of the kids become rather aggressive and unruly.”

Originally published as Underaged teens descended on Torquay for illegal beach party