Fears are rising that tensions could boil over into another riot in Sydney’s south after a violent brawl erupted on North Cronulla beach.
Locals fear a toxic mix of warm weather and alcohol, combined with territorial tensions as crowds of people flock to Cronulla – the only beach in Sydney easily accessible by train – from other parts of the city mirror conditions that fueled the race riots of 12 years ago.
Cronulla’s beaches, located about an hour south of Sydney city, are popular for people who live away from the coastline because of the easy access by train, unlike strips such as Bondi and Manly which are reachable almost exclusively by road.
A large brawl involving nearly 50 ‘Middle Eastern’ men broke out at North Cronulla beach because they were fighting over a girl
Seven News spoke to some of the onlookers who described it as ‘alcohol-fueled violence’ on what was supposed to be a friendly family day out in the sunshine
Cronulla is the only beach in Sydney on a direct train line, making it popular with those who live away from the coast line
Tensions flared on Saturday, when a brawl broke out at the northern end of the beach around 3pm between two groups of young men, reportedly over a girl.
Police were called, and they said on Sunday that three teenagers ‘not from the area’ were charged as a result of the fighting.
Locals taking to social media said the latest violence reminded them of the lead up to the 2005 Cronulla race riots, when gangs of young men from anglo-saxon backgrounds waged running skirmishes with young men of Middle Eastern backgrounds.
Then, residents said they began to feel they were losing control of their area – as large groups of mainly young men would increasingly come to the area via train and set up for the day.
They would drink, smoke, and yell out to passing girls.
Many locals claimed the ever-growing crowd were behind beach robberies, with phones, bags and wallets left on the beach while their owners swam going missing.
Others spoke of bikes and skateboards disappearing, and many were dissatisfied with the police response.
Then, in early December, two surf lifesavers were bashed by young men believed to be of Middle Eastern background.
In December 2005, thousands flocked to the Sutherland Shire after disputes with young men coming via train to the area
The large, violent, and partly intoxicated group easily outnumbered police despite their best efforts to control the situation
The next day a text message was sent around the area, encouraging people to come to Cronulla to ‘support leb and wog bashing day’ the following weekend.
That Sunday, an estimated 5000 people, many of them intoxicated young men, converged on Cronulla car park for a demonstration – but it quickly escalated into a riot.
Horrific pictures of the day showed people, mostly of middle-eastern appearance, being glassed and hit as crazed onlookers cheered on the attackers.
The next day text messages are sent around urging ‘all Arabs to unite as one’.
Believing members of the Bra Boys were coming to attack them, about 2000 people gathered at Lakemba Mosque, some of them armed.
When nobody arrived, the infuriated group drove south towards Brighton, Maroubra and Cronulla, where shops, cars and homes were subject to attack.
Shocking images of people being glassed and beaten surfaced from the fights, which stretched over days
More than 100 people were charged, and 40 were injured in the riots, which appeared to focus mostly on divisions of race
By the end of the riots, more than 100 people were facing charges, and 40 people had been injured.
The streets of Cronulla were left silent and empty, with many too afraid to leave their homes for weeks.
In the years since, the area has recovered and become more of a dining destination, with a concentration placed on upscale restaurants and cafes in the area.
Recently, locals say large groups have begun returning to Cronulla beach to drink, smoke and yell out at passing girls.
Residents on local social media pages have been left furious, claiming the groups are anti-social, causing a nuisance, and leaving litter on the beaches.
People called on police to better manage large groups of people attending the beach and sometimes causing trouble
Since, the Cronulla area has been fairly peaceful, but tensions are beginning to rebuild
Many blamed the incident on the fact Cronulla is the only beach on a train line in Sydney
Following Saturday’s brawl, many appear to feel the town is once again at breaking point.
A woman sitting nearby the two groups involved told Daily Mail Australia the men were drinking and smoking on the beach – an alcohol free zone – and that she had been the recipient of lewd comments.
She said the group next to her clearly had problems with another group of young men nearby, labelling the situation ‘bizarre’.
‘There were definitely two opposing groups we were sat between the two of them, was honestly super bizarre,’ she said.
Comments on social media vary, from suggesting the train station be shut down to predicting another riot in the coming months.
Locals have called on police to do more about large groups of young men drinking on the beach and yelling obscenities at passing women
Many appear perturbed by the idea of such violence hitting the streets again, but others seem to be almost egging it on in their comments.
‘So many blow ins being absolute f*** wits with no respect again,’ one man wrote.
‘Sort it out cops or it’s just going to play out the same way!’
A woman who lives in the area described summer in Cronulla as a ‘ticking time bomb’.
‘Always always tourists come here and start shit because of what happened 12 years ago,’ she said.
‘If you don’t like the surroundings stay in your area and go to the local pool.’
Another noted the issue is non-existent in winter, writing: ‘Sun’s out, trouble’s about’.