The Derrimut Hotel in the Victorian suburb of Sunshine is continuing its battle with local alcohol-related violence, with reports the hotel has at times been ‘under siege’.
Western Metropolitan MP Bernie Finn told Victorian State Parliament that regular antisocial behaviour at a nearby park was negatively affecting the hotel, which had been forced to employ additional security staff and avoid rostering female attendants in the bottle shop.
“People gather and consume large amounts of alcohol and then proceed to do very antisocial things and attack the hotel,” said Finn.
“In fact, drunks have been laying siege to the hotel.”
He told Parliament that on a number of occasions the hotel had been forced into “lockdown” due to the violence outside, and was reported in Star Weekly saying that Sunshine Police definitely needed greater resources.
“I would guess Sunshine is the busiest police station in Victoria and they are totally under-resourced. They need more manpower.”
The issue of public drunkenness had previously been flagged as an area of concern by residents at Council’s Brimbank Community Safety Strategy meeting.
Sunshine Police acting Inspector Brenda Bagally confirmed that incidents had increased at RT Pollard Gardens.
“We are aware of the problems in the area and are currently formulating strategies.”
The Derrimut Hotel declined to comment at this stage, but is working with police and other local licensees to address the problem and discuss strategies.
