ANGRY police have vowed to push for more alcohol restrictions after Australia Day celebrations turned into the worst violence seen in Newcastle for more than a decade.
Constant brawls between drunken "ferals", some thought to be as young as 12, pushed emergency services to the limit as Newcastle's parks became a battle ground for alcohol-fuelled rage.
John Hunter Hospital staff said the day was a "nightmare".
The emergency ward needed extra security as even those with injuries had to be sedated and tied to beds because of their aggression.
Newcastle Ocean Baths was closed and emptied to clean up loads of broken glass dumped by drunks.
Newcastle police chief Max Mitchell's anger was palpable yesterday.
He said the situations his officers had to deal were disgraceful.
"Like always, they do not know when to stop drinking and the yobbo element takes over," Superintendent Mitchell said.
"We just had brawl after brawl after brawl. And the really unfortunate issue is that many of these [people] were under 18, and I am talking at 10pm or 11pm at night.
"I don't understand the mentality of the kids' parents and I am sick and tired of having to constantly deal with these people."
Police made 10 arrests in the city but many offenders were able to escape as officers tried to control the brawls instead of taking people into custody.
About 20,000 people celebrated Australia Day in areas surrounding the Newcastle Foreshore, King Edward Park and Empire Park.
Superintendent Mitchell said he would lobby the council to change alcohol-free zones in the parks, including the 8am-8pm "window" allowing alcohol consumption in King Edward Park, where thousands of mainly teenaged drinkers gathered.
"Many of my officers have said it was the worst night they have seen in more than 10 years," he said.
"Many others said they had never seen such attitude from young people, such abuse of alcohol and the amount of fights."
Newcastle Lord Mayor John Tate said he expected the council would support any police moves for tougher restrictions, adding it was "annoying that yobs and idiots just go mad on a day like that".
John Hunter Hospital emergency department services manager Catherine Foster-Curry said the evening was a "nightmare".
"From 7pm to about 5am we were faced with an endless procession of aggressive drunk young men, some with very significant injuries," she said.
"We needed security in the emergency department all night just trying to keep order."
Staff were physically and verbally abused with many patients having to be restrained and sedated so they could be treated.
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