Head over heels: This week’s hot spell had 11-year-old Keeley in a spin as thousands hit Torquay beach in search of relief.
ERIN PEARSON
SURF Coast revellers received the highest number of liquor related fines in the state on New Year’s Eve as police battled firecracker use and drunken behaviour.
Members from across the region were deployed to Torquay after midnight as antisocial behaviour spiked.
Torquay Police Senior Sergeant Angelo Ferrara said officers issued 45 liquor related offences – the highest of any area Victoria-wide.
Twelve drunks were also arrested and 63 licensed premises visited.
“Liquor offences, which are things like under-age consumption of alcohol and open containers in the street, were big targets for us,” he said.
“We got onto it early and identified the youths and groups we thought would give us grief.
“We were well planned this year but Torquay did need a lot more attention than anywhere else around Geelong, Surf Coast and the Bellarine.”
Sen Sgt Ferrara said the use of firecrackers also “stood out” as a real problem this year.
Tarneit father of two Carlos Rodriguez, 34, died in hospital this week after a firework exploded in his face at a New Year’s Eve celebration.
Sen Sgt Ferrara said the incident was a chilling reminder of how dangerous the illegal crackers could be.
Three people were charged with firework offences in Torquay, he said.
“We had one unfortunate incident where some unknown people set off a firecracker near one of our mounted patrol horses and the uniformed rider was thrown to the ground.
“These kids may have thought it was a bit of fun but someone could have been seriously injured.”
In Geelong police arrested 19 drunks and handed out 33 liquor related fines.
Across Victoria police arrested 237 people for being drunk and caught 66 drink drivers over the night as part of various operations.
Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe said the majority of people celebrated the start of the new year in a responsible way.
“We will continue to target antisocial behaviour as well as drink driving over the holiday period so if you intend to cause trouble, we will be there to catch you,” Mr Walshe said.
Last year almost 400 people were arrested for being drunk in Victoria on New Year’s Eve.
