POLICE have condemned dangerous driving behaviour at an illegal 'hoon meet' and are conducting an investigation to charge those involved.
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It is believed around 100 people gathered at an industrial site near the Ballarat Aerodrome after dark on Friday - not only flouting the road rules, but also coronavirus-related social restrictions.
While some social restrictions put in place to limit the spread of the virus were lifted as of 11.59pm on May 31, social gatherings of more than 20 people are still prohibited.
A video posted to Facebook shows what appears to be a dark-coloured Ford Falcon recklessly driving around in circles - otherwise known as 'doughnuts'.
As the car repeatedly screeches in tight circles through billows of smoke, a person can be seen hanging from the back seat of the car - apparently filming - while onlookers also video the scene on their mobile phones.
One person proceeds to edge dangerously close to the car as it continues to spin, as other onlookers are heard cheering.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW
Ballarat Highway Patrol's Acting Senior Sergeant Stuart Gale said police responded to the incident and were in the process of an investigation.
"This is extremely dangerous behaviour and I am totally appalled," he told The Courier.
"We are treating it very seriously."
While there have been instances of large 'hoon meets' in Melbourne during the past couple of weeks, it has been fairly quiet in Ballarat.
Acting Senior Sergeant Gale said the incident involved a number of offences and could result in very serious charges.
I am very concerned about this behaviour. I am very concerned that it is happening on our roads as anything could happen. They are putting lives in danger.
- Acting Senior Sergeant Stuart Gale
"I am very concerned about this behaviour. I am very concerned that it is happening on our roads as anything could happen," he said. "They are putting lives in danger."
There are many potentially tragic scenarios that could have occurred.
"It's all fun until something goes wrong and the probability of something going wrong is very high," Acting Senior Sergeant Gale said.
"Anything involving a motor vehicle and this sort of behaviour - we are talking about serious injury or death."
If the car had rolled, its occupants could have been seriously injured or killed. If the driver lost control, the close onlooker could have been hit - as could the dozens of people standing in the crowd. This could mean multiple serious injuries or deaths.
Had the person hanging out of the window toppled out and been run over, they also could have been seriously injured or killed.
Meanwhile, the incident occurred on a public road meaning public property was damaged.
Acting Senior Sergeant Gale urged people not to attend these types of events.
"Do not support it because you are condoning these people offending and we will not tolerate it," he said.
Police captured footage at the incident, while the offenders also uploaded their videos to a public Facebook page.
"We are looking at who these people are and they can expect a knock from us on their door," Acting Senior Sergeant Gale said.
If you know something, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppers.vic.gov.au
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