Victoria Police boss Shane Patton believes a beefed-up fine will be enough to deter unlawful gatherings in the absence of Melbourne's nightly curfew.
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Melbourne's 9pm to 5am curfew was lifted on Monday, eight weeks after coming into effect to limit movement and aid enforcement efforts amid the state's devastating second wave.
The chief commissioner welcomed the state government raising the penalty for people attending parties and other gatherings to compensate for the absence of a curfew.
The $5000 fine has been in place for Melbourne people trying to sneak into regional Victoria for some time and has seen the number of fines issued at checkpoints drop dramatically.
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Mr Patton revealed police became aware of 10 separate parties held over the weekend in Melbourne, Casey and Hopper's Crossing, where officers handed out 93 infringements.
At one party alone, there were up to 40 people in attendance.
"There were around 40 people when we turned up," he said.
"Several of them did a runner. Some just dispersed. We ended up giving out 15 infringements.
"If we gave out those 15 infringements under this new guideline, that would be a $75,000 party."That's a heck of a party."
There was also a party on the Surf Coast with a jumping castle.
"I would like to think a $5000 fine is going to act as a general deterrent," Mr Patton told reporters on Monday.
"I think when you put a number five with three zeros next to it, it is such a significant hit to the pocket that people will say it's just not worth the risk.
"It's as simple as that."
Mr Patton acknowledged dropping the curfew would mean more people moving about but indicated police were equipped with "adequate powers" to handle it.
"You still have to have one of the four reasons to leave home," he said.
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