Police push for safer parties

GATECRASHERS at parties in Casey could be a thing of the past if two new police operations prove successful.
Plain-clothes and uniformed police officers from Narre Warren, Endeavour Hills, Cranbourne and the Casey Regional Response Unit have been hitting the streets on Friday and Saturday nights to curb the rise of anti-social behaviour at parties.
At least 10 people have been arrested and charged with a string of offences, committed in and around local parties, since Operations Stane and Talon were introduced late last month.
The operations were launched after police closed down a party at an Endeavour Hills house that more than 200 young people attended. Another party was closed down in Narre Warren in March when more than 400 people attended.
Two police officers were assaulted and three men were bashed after a Berwick party was gatecrashed in February, and Cranbourne Police are still investigating a out-of-control party in April that resulted in a car being set alight.
Since March, police have taken the following action as part of Operations Stane and Talon:
• One man charged with three counts of burglary, three of theft and one charge of going equipped to steal.
• One woman charged with drug offences.
• Two people charged with carrying weapons.
• Two charged with theft from a motor vehicle.
• Five charged with criminal damage.
• Four charged with being drunk and other anti-social offences such as throwing bottles.
• Eight under-age alcohol diversions have been issued.
Casey District Inspector Bob Hill said a majority of the problems were occurring at parties that were not registered with police.
Hoon behaviour, excessive noise and large gatherings of intoxicated youths were the most common causes of resident complaints and police concern.
“Underage drinking in public places and anti-social behaviour arising from parties is of real concern to police, as are other offences which often occur in conjunction with the consumption of alcohol. These include assaults, criminal damage, youths carrying weapons and theft from motor vehicles,” Insp Hill said.
“High levels of intoxication can leave young people extremely vulnerable to criminal behaviour as either a victim or perpetrator, as well as impacting on their health and wellbeing,” he said
Casey Police are keen to push Party Safe – a program that allows hosts to register a party and minimise the risks of their event being gatecrashed.
Insp Hill cited a recent example in which Narre Warren Police detected the same teenager under the influence of alcohol twice within a space of 24 hours. She later received treatment in hospital and has been referred to the Casey Underage Alcohol Diversion program, which is jointly conducted by Victoria Police and South Eastern Alcohol and Drug Service.
“These new operations are heavily targeting issues associated with youth parties but police cannot be everywhere at once and parents, party hosts and young people need to take more responsibility for their actions,” he said. “We want people to have enjoyable and safe celebrations and work alongside police to achieve this.”