Is gang violence on the rise in Melbourne?

Is gang violence on the rise in Melbourne?

Visitors to a popular Melbourne beach will no longer be able to relax in the sun with a few beers after the introduction of a permanent booze ban.

The Port Phillip Council decided on Wednesday night to ban to consumption of alcohol on the St Kilda foreshore following a string of recent fights and assaults.

The ban will be in place for the warmer months, starting each year on November 1 and finishing on March 31.

Previous restrictions prevented drinking from 8pm until noon each day, but the new rule covers a full 24-hour period.

The council hopes the ban will reduce alcohol-fuelled violence in the area, after a wild mass brawl involving more than 100 youths broke out over the weekend.

Dramatic images from St Kilda on Saturday night showed injured youths lying on the ground receiving treatment while dozens of police officers tried to stop the violence.

According to police, one man was kicked while he was unconscious on the ground by 20 people and had his phone and wallet stolen — and his mate, who tried to intervene, was also injured.

“It was just very quickly that the group of the African-Australians came together. There was a smaller group down there, but then (a larger group) started arriving,” Acting Superintendent Mark Langhorn told reporters.

“So throughout the night no one had been down there drinking or anything like that; everyone was well-behaved. It was just when the large group came together, trouble started … then it sort of flowed onto the public.”

As a result of the chaos, 10 people were arrested and three were injured.

While many praised the council for their decision, not everyone was impressed by the booze ban, with people taking to social media to share their frustrations.

“Nanny state gone mad. Thanks to the fun police there won’t be anything fun to do anymore,” one person wrote.

“So fabulous how a few idiots continue to ruin everything for everyone else,’ another said.

One asked: “How about you ban me from breathing next?”

Mayor Dick Gross said the council understands some residents feel the ban is unfair, but things have changed since the measure was last considered.

“Large crowds on the St Kilda foreshore have been causing trouble and trauma recently to people just enjoying a walk or at work,” he said in a council statement late on Wednesday.

Along with the ban, police will also increase their patrols of the area and will have the authority to conduct weapon searches.