-
Related
More than 20 people have been injured and 16 arrested as
race-fuelled violence spread through Sydney's beachside suburbs
overnight.
But NSW Premier Morris Iemma says police are in control of the
situation, after violence that began at Cronulla Beach in Sydney's
south flowed over to other communities.
A series of apparent revenge attacks - including two stabbings -
occurred overnight following the unrest at Cronulla, where more
than 5,000 people gathered on Sunday.
Drunken mobs within the crowd yelled racist chants and chased down
and bashed people of Middle Eastern appearance at the beach in an
extended show of violence.
Police and an ambulance crew were also assaulted as racial tensions
peaked.
A total of 25 people, including two ambulance officers, were
injured, about 40 cars were vandalised and an Australian flag was
burned during the mob scenes.
Police said 16 people had been arrested across Sydney and charged
with 42 offences.
Iemma on Monday described the behaviour as "stomach turning" and
said it would not be tolerated.
"I saw yesterday people trying to hide behind the Australian flag,
well they are cowards whose behaviour will not be tolerated," Iemma
told Channel Nine.
"That was the most disgraceful, disgusting behaviour that I've ever
seen."
Iemma said he planned to bring together community leaders for
discussions about how to prevent further violence.
Police had the resources and the equipment to deal with the violent
scenes, he said.
Police were forced to use capsicum spray and batons in their battle
to subdue the Cronulla rioters, who pelted officers with bottles
and stomped on patrol cars.
Later, a 23-year-old man was injured and more than 40 cars smashed
with baseball bats in an apparent revenge attack at Maroubra, in
Sydney's east.
A group of about 60 men of Middle Eastern appearance and armed with
baseball bats smashed the windows of parked cars about 9pm
(AEDT).
The group then clashed with local group, the Bra Boys, outside the
Maroubra Bay Hotel.
A 23-year-old Maroubra man was taken to Prince of Wales hospital
after he was stabbed with a sharp implement, believed to be a stick
or nail, in the hip.
Later, a second 23-year-old man was stabbed in the back by a group
of males, described as being of Middle Eastern appearance, at a
golf club at Woolooware, in Sydney's south.
He was taken to hospital in a serious condition.
Riot police were also called to Brighton-le-Sands, in Sydney's
south, overnight to control a group of about 200 brawling youths
who had reportedly thrown projectiles at police.
Twelve people were arrested at Cronulla. They will face Sutherland
Local Court at a date to be fixed.
