WARRNAMBOOL police were pleased with the overall behaviour of New Year’s Eve revellers, with only one brawl reported.
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Sergeant Cameron Ross said crowd behaviour at the Warrnambool foreshore caravan parks and Lake Pertobe where thousands of holidaymakers celebrated was good but there were incidents of anti-social behaviour in the central business district.
A handful of penalty notices were issued for offensive behaviour and other offences.
About four drunks were arrested and about three under-age drinkers apprehended.
“Most issues were in the CBD,” Sergeant Ross said.
“There’s still an underlying issue of behavioural offences.
“It is the very few that ruin the night of many with their behaviour.”
He said a 22-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment for eye injuries after he was hit in a brawl at the Seanchai Irish pub in Liebig Street.
Sergeant Ross said the brawl inside the venue was reported about 1.25am yesterday.
Police are making inquiries and anyone who witnessed the fight is asked to contact Warrnambool police.
About 35 Warrnambool police were on duty during New Year’s Eve, with some posted to Port Fairy.
They breath-tested hundreds of drivers, but only one was detected over the limit.
Hamilton police also had a good night, with only one brawl reported.
Acting Sergeant Rod Charman said the brawl between about six women was reported about 3am in the beer garden of the Caledonian Hotel.
Acting Sergeant Charman said those involved suffered minor injuries and there was no damage to the premises.
Police inquiries were continuing to determine whether charges would be laid, he said.
No drink-driving offences were detected.
At Port Fairy where more than 10,000 people gathered for the Moyneyana Festival New Year’s Eve parade, about 20 penalty notices were issued for under-age drinking and one driver apprehended for drink-driving.
Leading Senior Constable Chris Carr said the 20 penalties for under-age drinking was a big reduction from the 200 that were issued a few years ago.
In Portland, police are waiting to interview a 35-year-old Portland man after the vehicle he was driving hit a tree in Wellington Road about 1.40am yesterday.
Sergeant Ryan Nelson, of Portland police, said the man was taken to Portland hospital for treatment for injuries he received when his head hit the vehicle’s windscreen.
Sergeant Nelson said there were few incidents during New Year’s Eve, with one penalty notice issued for being drunk in a public place and another for under-age drinking.
A 17-year-old youth was arrested by police for anti-social behaviour at New Year’s Eve celebrations at the Cobden Miniature Railway and Mini Golf Park.
Leading Senior Constable Andy Prisco said the Cobden youth was allegedly drunk, assaulted a female and smashed a letter box. No one was injured and the youth was released into the custody of his grandparents.
Police investigations are continuing.
Police were also pleased with the generally good New Year’s Eve behaviour across the state.
Throughout Victoria 297 people were arrested, including 175 for being drunk, a significant drop compared with last year’s figures.