Teen blames police for mayhem
A 16-year-old boy says his guests were justified in pelting police with glass bottles after officers closed a 200-strong party at his mother's Hazelmere home.
Neighbours claim Saturday night's party was the third at the Robertson Street address in two months, including a Halloween event that attracted 500 people.
More than 20 police cars, the dog squad and mounted section were called in to break up the party and 16 juveniles were detained after they threw bottles. Several nearby residents reported damage to their properties.
Organiser Martin Fulton said the party was "chilled" before police shut it and forced everyone into the street.
He said it had been registered with police and he hired bouncers to deal with troublemakers. Attendees paid up to $10 to get in.
"It was fine until the cops showed up. They ruined it," Martin told Seven News.
"Everyone started bottling the cop cars because they shut down a good party. It was essentially the cops' fault." Martin's mother Michelle, who did not want her surname printed, said she rented the home from affordable housing provider Foundation Housing.
On its website, the organisation says it has a "zero tolerance approach to anti- social behaviour" at its properties. Foundation Housing, which was contacted for comment, uses grants and government joint ventures to fund its projects.
Michelle said police "escalated" the problem when they moved the party into the street. She said she did not provide alcohol to guests.
She said having big parties while accessing social housing was "probably not" a good idea but claimed she could not control her son.
