Four young men were arrested and charged after police were pelted with bottles and a missile was discharged at Australia Day celebrations in Whittlesea.
Mill Park’s Acting Senior Sergeant Matt Williams said police were set upon by a mob of revellers after they arrested a 21-year-old Mernda man on the lawns next to Whittlesea council offices at South Morang.
The man was charged on summons with being drunk in a public place and assaulting police.
A 22-year-old Doreen man, an 18-year-old Mill Park man and a younger teenager were also arrested at the event and charged on summons with discharging a missile.
Acting Senior Sergeant Williams said 30 officers, the dog squad and police air wing were called in to control the crowd.
“It was a small portion of the crowd,” he said. “There was in excess of 7000 people there and a handful of the crowd have caused an issue, which was away from the majority of patrons.”
Acting Senior Sergeant Williams praised officers, who he said “remained calm and acted professionally in what was a hostile situation”.
“We’re pleased that none of our members were hurt. Just a vehicle was damaged, but better the vehicle than one of our members.”
Whittlesea mayor Steven Kozmevski said the behaviour was “completely unacceptable”.
“We have a strong track record for hosting events in a safe and enjoyable manner, and there is no room for this type of behaviour,” he said.
