Five police cars to get rid of four drunks? Pity that level of efficiency does not extend to other more serious crimes.

Spot on Ralf, what a joke.

And it's a joke that the supposed unto $13,000 NEVER gets applied when people refuse to leave a licensed premises as stated by law. But our gutless police force can't even impose it. It's a joke to have a law that never gets used. I bet the next time they were asked to leave after such a fine and having to pay it off even, they wouldn't be as keen to argue and remain quarrelsome next time. Ballarat and Victorian Police, don't have laws you don't enforce. People just laugh at you and think it's one big joke because it doesn't happen and believe me, they know it too. Wake up authorities and take real action for real crime. Charge the one for assaulting police because assault is in the mind of the victim, then again some magistrate would hear a sad sob story and probably let them off lighter. Bring in mantatory sentencing and mandatory fines otherwise the community will remain violent and the same, and mantain the attitudes they have. Stop being so WEAK Victoria, you have some of the softest laws in this land and it's a disgrace. Very angry at lack of enforcement of current pretend laws.

I think this was a job well done. Why wait until they cause any more trouble. Send a message to the other people there about what happens if you act like an idiot. In New York during the 90's they enacted a policy dubbed 'Broken Windows'. The theory was that if you tackled small crimes it stopped people from moving to larger crimes. Whether the same night, or at a later time. This, plus other initiatives and social effects, made serious crime rates plummet to lowest level in many decades. Good proactive policing. Who knows, these guys may have bashed an innocent person on the street later in the night which can easily lead to serious injuries or death. We would be calling for more from our police.

One would be interviewed over assaulting police. Some comments here believe police should put up with being bashed and assaulted every weekend. 5 police cars and a brawler van is a very good response here, personaly i would have maced the drunks as well just to teach them a bit of respect for the bridge managment, security, police and peacefull patrons at the hotel.

Yes Jay W, you are right, it was a good response, or was it? These is a current law that states if a person refuses to leave a licenced premises when asked to do so can be charged up to $13,000. Now my point is, this has \never been enforced that I am aware of. The Police, or any Police responce is always great! But wht dont they enforce what is available to them. Tow things really even onlt hurt anybody; 1. Financial loss. And secondly, deprivation of freedom. These are the types that need such fines enforced to hurt them, four hours in a prison cell is boasting rights to many of them to their mates. But a $13,000 fine paid of over time is not something they would boast about. Even half that!! T We need to make people pay for their behaviour, not give them a 4-hour rest in a cell, or just let them walk away once they have been removed from the premises. Where is the duty of care to the public when an aggressive and intoxicated individual is still walking around? Is it safe to assume that they wont harm anybody else while roaming the streets? Assaults and leaving to leave anybody else's house, pub, club, shop or whatever? When asked to do so, should be treated seriously.