St Kilda traders resist call for alcohol ban on foreshore after violent attacks

The violent incident spread across Jacka Boulevard, blocking traffic, becoming a melee involving other kitchen staff members.

"These attacks are pretty cowardly and vicious without provocation," said Detective Sergeant David Schaefer.

"The [alcohol] Bans are important because you have an open space, you have young people coming together and international backpackers, "said Inspector Jason Kelly.

"Put alcohol in it, it's a recipe for disaster."

This week's incidents follow a wild scuffle along the foreshore in December, which resulted in the kidnapping of about 60 youths destroying McDonald's on the esplanade.

The fight, as well as the destruction of St Kilda Beach on Christmas Day 2017, prompted the council to challenge an alcohol ban. However, the council voted in March against a permanent ban on foreshore by alcohol and glbad.

Acland Traders president, Janet Rosenberg, said there was no reason to think that alcohol was a determining factor in Thursday night's badaults.

"I think there is a bit of a misunderstanding," said Rosenberg. "Obviously, security is a primary concern, not only for merchants, but also for visitors and residents.

"But I do not see any relationship with an alcohol ban in it, no evidence to drink at all."

Ms Rosenberg said she was supporting Port Phillip City Council 's project to install five CCTV cameras along the foreshore by December.

"It's a wonderful idea, it's great that foreshore gets them."

She added that she was also pleased to see an increased police presence, including officers on horseback, on nearby Acland Street this week.

However, locals believe that a banning of alcohol would help reduce violence and prevent police from being diverted from drug-related crimes in other suburban neighborhoods when incidents broke out on the foreshore.

"The incident of last summer where a similar group shot dead, I think that is one of the main people responsible for the ban on l '39; alcohol, "said Darren Robertson of the Friends of St Kilda Hill community group.

"When prestigious areas such as the beach are under pressure, the police are diverted.Last year, when that happened, we recorded a sharp increase in crime in the St Kilda Hill area. .

"I think we're in a situation where incidents happen more frequently, and the only way to take control is to institute these policies." I'd like everyone to have a drink, but when the situation is out of control, you need policies that control rather than incite incidents. "

The mayor of the city of Port Phillip, Bernadene Voss, could be reached for a comment on Saturday.

with Tom Cowie