WATCH: Brawlers pepper sprayed during violent fight at Melbourne's Moomba Festival
A mass fight broke out near Melbourne’s Federation Square and police were forced to use capsicum spray on revelers as violence erupted during Moomba Festival.
More than 50 people were arrested and weapons were seized at the event which has been plagued with violence in the past.
Senior police said young gangs were targeting the event, using a rift between Melbourne’s east and west to start fights.
Police warned they would be quick to stamp out trouble at the event, taking a zero tolerance approach to violence.
The festival is a hit with children, but after dark troublemakers arrived.
Deputy Commissioner Andrew Crisp said the behaviour was “totally unacceptable”.
“We did see behaviour later in the night and early in the morning, in terms of these young people who believe they can use the CBD and festivals as their playground. Well, this behaviour is totally unacceptable.”
More than 800 weapons searches were conducted which found nine weapons, including knives, scissors, a taser and knuckle-duster.
All up there were 53 arrests over Moomba weekend, mostly for assault, robbery, riots, or being drunk.
Police Minister Lisa Neville said the figures were about 10-15 more than a regular weekend in the area.
More police were tasked to the event this year after last year was ruined by riots and fighting.
Revelers said they felt safer this time round and police say the trouble wasn’t as bad.
Victoria Police officers were also granted special powers on the weekend to be able to search without a warrant.
Police felt there was a geographic rivalry which sparked the mass fight, however they didn’t feel the fights were race-related.
