Riot took police by surprise
By Tim Clarke
27jan04
POLICE have admitted being taken by surprise by a huge booze-fuelled brawl that left dozens of people hurt and marred Perth's Australia Day celebrations.
As many as 1000 violent revellers were involved in a 75-minute battle with police, throwing bottles on South Perth's foreshore as the city's Skyworks fireworks show was about to start last night.
At least two officers were taken to hospital with concussion after being hit by projectiles, while St John Ambulance volunteers said more than 300 people were treated throughout the evening.
Acting Police Superintendent John Gillespie, who was in charge of policing the event, said today it was the worst violence he had seen in the 20-year history of the fireworks event.
"Of all the Skyworks I have been to, I think it was the ugliest incident I have seen," Supt Gillespie told Perth radio 6PR.
"The behaviour of the few marred it for the rest of us, and we are not very happy this morning. I think those people have got a lot to be answerable to," he said.
"South Perth was identified as a probable hot spot, but we didn't expect what happened," Supt Gillespie admitted.
Police said the brawl began when two drunken groups began throwing bottles at each other shortly before the fireworks started at 8pm (WST).
Eight officers who attended the scene at Sir James Mitchell Park were then pelted by both groups, with the incident escalating as police reinforcements turned up, forcing officers to withdraw for some time.
It took more than 75 minutes to restore order.
The event, attended by an estimated 300,000 people, was deemed an alcohol and glass free event, with more than 750 alcohol infringement notices issued by police.
But more than 77 ambulances were called to people injured in drunken incidents, with 54 of those people requiring hospital treatment, St John Ambulance duty officer Jeffrey Williams told ABC radio.
"We can quite confidently say that most people that required assistance were affected by alcohol," Mr Williams said.
Supt Gillespie said stronger legislation was needed if the event was to be policed properly.
"We can make it alcohol free – I don't see a problem with that, but when it comes to a special event such as Skyworks I think it has to be designated that," he said.
"If we had appropriate legislation then perhaps we could look at better crowd management."
WA's acting Premier Eric Ripper said Perth's national reputation had been tarnished by the violent incidents.
"A minority of people ruined it for others and spoiled the image that Western Australia would like to portray to the rest of the country, and I think we have got to back the police in taking a tough line," Mr Ripper said.