POLICE have identified a number of offenders involved in Friday night’s skirmish near the BP service station, Inspector Roger Best says.
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“Those involved can expect to be charged with affray, offensive conduct and assault,” he said yesterday.
Officers were forced to use capsicum spray to deal with a crowd of 150 people that gathered near the station at about 2.30am.
The gathering was the culmination of a night fraught with vandalism and the intimidation of residents according to Inspector Roger Best.
Groups of revellers and young people roamed through the central business district kicking cars and scaring residents causing a number of calls to police.
Extra officers were called in for crowd control and police were kept so busy they couldn’t even take the time to arrest individuals, instead using video footage to identify the culprits.
Meanwhile, New England Local Area Command Superintendent Fred Trench welcomed new laws aimed at reducing alcohol-fuelled violence, which came into effect yesterday.
“Alcohol presents a massive challenge for police. Some 74 per cent of all police engagements on our streets can be traced back to alcohol abuse – either dealing with victims, offenders or witnesses to alcohol-related crime,” he said.
The laws mostly target Sydney establishments but bottle shops, liquor stores, pubs and clubs will not be able to sell takeaway alcohol after 10pm.