Party-goers attack police

By Sarah Schwager
A POLICE car was damaged by rocks and bottles as an out-of-control party raged in Hampton Park last weekend.
Cranbourne police were called to a party at Springfield Crescent on Sunday morning after reports of rowdy youths.
A Casey Mercedes van attended the party at about 2am on Sunday to assist with other police units after receiving reports of a large number of youths causing trouble and fighting outside a party at a private house.
Detective Senior Sergeant Bernie Kaminski, from Cranbourne CIU, said on arrival, about 200 youths moved towards the police and started to throw rocks and bottles.
As a result, there was extensive damage caused to the driver’s side door and the passenger side sliding door of the van.
Det Sen Sgt Kaminski said a number of youths were arrested for street offences not related to the damage of the van.
Offences included being drunk in a public place, offensive behaviour, indecent language, and drug offences.
“It seems to be happening more often these days than it used to,” Det Sen Sgt Kaminski said.
Youth Resource Officer at Narre Warren police station, Senior Constable Dave Smith, encouraged people to register their parties through PartySafe.
The Victoria Police PartySafe program aims to minimise the risk of having intoxicated guests or gatecrashers ruining local parties.
Sen Const Smith said participants were provided with a PartySafe information kit, outlining strategies to help make the party safe and enjoyable.
“There is information on serving alcohol, dropping kids off at the party, contacting the parent in charge and not spreading invitations,” he said.
“We also want people to register so we can be aware of the party and keep an eye on it to make sure everything is okay.”
Sen Const Smith said it was generally gatecrashers that caused the problems, rather than the invited guests.
“People generally have good intentions when starting out,” he said.
“But sometimes the word spreads and it just snowballs from there.”
For more information on the PartySafe program, pick up a pamphlet from your local police station or visit the website at www.police.vic.gov.au.
If anyone witnessed the damage being caused on the weekend, contact the officer in charge at Cranbourne Uniform on 5995 4681.