PSO sends young woman flying during ugly clash at Flinders Street Station
Shocking footage has emerged showing a young woman being forcefully shoved into a wall by a Protective Services Officer at Flinders Street Station in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The footage, obtained by Nine News, appears to show a group of PSOs confronting a pack of young men outside the CBD's Flinders Street Station about 1.30am.
A slight young woman walks briskly towards the scene and as she approaches, a PSO - who appears to be holding capsicum spray - can be heard saying: "step back, step back."
"I'm going this way," she says, as she attempts to attempts to step around the PSO.
He then hurls her back toward the direction she came from. She lands with a thump, hitting a wall and leaving her visibly shocked.
“No one gets in here,” the PSO says.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the young woman ignored "multiple warnings to stay back" as plain-clothed police officers were attempting to arrest a man.
"A woman has tried to walk between police and the man they were trying to arrest," the spokeswoman said.
"A PSO has pushed the woman, causing her to fall to the ground. She has then stood up and walked away from the scene.
"This incident is a timely reminder that arrests are dynamic and potentially dangerous situations.
"When police are responding to incidents, members of the public need to stand back to give police the space to ensure a safe and timely outcome for all parties. Professional Standards Command has received a complaint in relation to the incident by a third party, which will be investigated. The woman has not come forward to make a complaint."
The incident came on a night police used capsicum spray after several brawls broke out during the Moomba Festival on Saturday night.
Police have confirmed they arrested five people following three separate brawls between two groups of youths at Federation Square and Flinders Street Station between 10pm and 2am.
Three people were arrested for assault and two people for drunken behaviour. Two penalty notices were also issued, one for riotous behaviour and one for weapons offences.
Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the late night incidents were not related to the festival.
“My understanding is it's not linked to Moomba at all, that it's part of, unfortunately, some of the normal activities that go on during those hours in the city,” she said.