Night of violence 'disgusting'

SYDNEY - New South Wales police have expressed disgust after tallying more than 300 arrests on the second night of a massive crackdown on alcohol-fuelled violence.

The police confronted brawls, assaults and robberies across the state on Saturday during their high-profile campaign against anti-social behaviour. Operation Unite, launched on Friday and involving New Zealand as well, nabbed a further 307 people on Saturday night, with 509 charges laid. Police said yesterday that officers were "disgusted" at the level of alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour. One officer was even headbutted. Almost 200 motorists were caught drink-driving.

"It's just staggering," said Assistant Commissioner Frank Mennilli. "We had reports of six men bashing another man in the centre of the city, another man naked at The Rocks allegedly attempting to strangle his partner, a bus inspector targeted with a laser pointer and a serious glassing in a pub at Ultimo.

"Bottles were thrown randomly at vehicles, male and female youths were involved in a large street brawl at Woolloomooloo while two teenage girls were arrested over an assault and robbery in Hyde Park."

More than 1400 extra police were deployed across the state during the blitz on alcohol-related violence and other crime.

In total, 640 people have so far been arrested, 1025 charges laid and 374 drink-drivers caught in 48,162 breath-tests, police said.

- AAP