A clothing company stunt that degenerated into a “riot” involving dozens of dirt bike riders has been condemned by Newcastle residents and authorities.
Video of the event shows up to 40 dirt bike riders taunting police, appearing to run down at least two pedestrians, and damaging a park where the event was held.
Police said about 200 people turned up at Dangar Park in Mayfield on Sunday after the clothing brand Bad Apples promoted a merchandise giveaway event on its social media.
Local residents have described the event as “pretty much a riot.” (Supplied: Lanie Palmero Vlaar)
Ellen, who lives opposite the park and asked the ABC not to use her last name, said the “obnoxious” and “disruptive” behaviour went on for hours.
“They were in the park doing 360s … tearing up the ground and spewing out the dirt, ducking and diving between pedestrians, she said.
“[It became] a whole day that was pretty much a riot.“
Ellen said local residents became increasingly frightened as tensions boiled over,and scuffles broke out involving police.
“The fear and concern kept going when it rolled over to three hours of increasing intensity,” she said.
“You start feeling powerless at hour one and you feel absolutely like it’s never going to end by hour three.“
Ellen said many of her neighbours with young families were concerned for their safety and chose to flee.
Dozens of police were present at the event, including the riot squad. (ABC Newcastle: Ben Clifford)
Dozens of police were called to the scene while Polair circled the suburb for nearly an hour.
“Due to public safety concerns, we were forced to shut a number of streets,” NSW Police Superintendent Kylie Endemi said.
“There was also a melee that occurred in that park and a lady was arrested as a result of that.
“What resulted was an absolute disregard for public safety and for our public spaces.“
Two vehicles, including a police car, were damaged and capsicum spray was used as police tried to control the crowd.
“Our investigators are currently trawling through footage from body-worn video and from Polair and those people can expect a knock at their door,” Superintendent Endemi said.
Police response criticised
But some community members have criticised the police response to the event.
“Tempers flared and people wanted them gone and the police seemed unwilling to do anything,” Ellen said.
“People are feeling as though they’re not heard, they’re not protected and that the police are on the side of the people causing the mayhem.“
Dozens of dirt bike riders were seen riding in and around the park. (Supplied: Lanie Palmero Vlaar)
Superintendent Endemi said the police seized two dirt bikes during the operation, but had to balance the safety of those in attendance.
“People are absolutely able to gather in public spaces and behave in a safe and harmonious manner … and many did that,” she said.
“It’s unfortunate that others did not.
“Police face a difficult challenge in these circumstances; we have to be extremely careful in terms of how we intervene so as not to cause injury to the rider of those bikes or to innocent members of the public or to police.”
Charlotte McCabe says the council will pursue the group for damages to the park. (ABC Newcastle: Laurise Dickson)
Greens councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor Charlotte McCabe said the Newcastle Council was not aware of the event and had not sanctioned it .
She said the clothing brand promoter should wear the cost of any repair work.
“The council staff will be pursuing costs from them for the damages,” she said.
“The more concerning thing to me is that the organisation was clearly going to … record that violence and put it on their social media as a way of attracting followers and making a profit to sell more clothing.“
Bad Apples has held similar merchandise giveaways in Australia before, including at Logan in Queensland.
The ABC has reached out to Bad Apples for comment.
