St Kilda mayor responds to calls for booze ban after beach brawl

St Kilda traders are calling for a summer-long booze ban following a series of brawls on the foreshore.

Police deployed capsicum spray to disperse a group of youths on the St Kilda foreshore about 10.30pm on Saturday.

A man, 19, has been charged with assault and making threats to kill.

But, less than an hour later, as many as 20 youths bashed three people, knocking on of them unconscious near the life saving club.

The latest outbreak of violence has prompted traders to call for a summer-long booze ban.

But, as Ross and John pointed out this morning, police have said the incident wasn’t fuelled by alcohol.

“That said, why do we feel the need to protect grog on St Kilda beach?” Ross asked.

“How is it of benefit of the ratepayers of St Kilda? Because that’s for whom a decision should be made.”

Click PLAY to hear Ross and John pose those questions with with mayor Dick Gross