Extra police resources deployed after out-of-control brawl in Halls Creek

Nine people have been charged and further arrests may be forthcoming after violence erupted during an out-of-control gathering in Halls Creek, prompting extra police resources to be deployed. A police spokesperson said at about 9.20pm on June 28, police were called to an “out-of-control gathering” near Smith Street. About 60 people were involved in the alleged incident, of which 30 to 40 were fighting, armed with sticks, stones, rocks, bricks, knives and metal bars, police confirmed. Police dispersed the crowd and proactive patrols continued throughout the night. Nine people have been charged so far in relation to the incident, with charges laid so far ranging from being armed in a way that may cause fear to failed to comply with an order relating to an out-of-control gathering. Inquiries are continuing and further arrests may occur. Police said extra police resources were flown in from Broome and extra officers drove several hours from Kununurra and Fitzroy Crossing to help assist officers in Halls Creek. Liquor stores in Halls Creek were directed by authorities to cease trading on Saturday, with police from the Kimberley district seizing large amounts of alcohol including beer, spirits and wine during random traffic stops in Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing. Police conducted a vehicle stop on Great Northern Highway in Fitzroy Crossing on June 28 and located 17 cartons of full-strength beer. The alcohol was seized and a 22-year-old man was charged by way of summons with carried, in a prescribed area of the State, a kind of liquor in a quantity that exceeded the prescribed quantity. Later that weekend on June 30, police conducted a vehicle stop on Great Northern Highway in Halls Creek and located 23 wine caskets, eight bottles of beer and 11 bottles of spirits. The alcohol was seized and a 26-year-old female was also charged with similar offences.