Fewer people arrested at Vic celebrations

There were fewer arrests from New Year's Eve celebrations in Victoria, 126 against 184 in the preceding year.

Fireworks along the Yarra River in Melbourne

Melbourne has ushered in the New Year with its biggest fireworks show yet. (AAP)

Despite heat, big crowds and a substantial police presence, New Year's Eve arrests in Victoria are down.

Police say they are generally pleased with how revellers saw in 2016.

Up to 500,000 people witnessed the city's biggest fireworks display, while partygoers also gathered in large numbers in regional centres and resort towns across the state.

There were 126 arrests in Victoria overnight for a range of offences including 65 for being drunk in a public place, with 62 reported assaults and 16 drink-drivers detected.

That's down from 184 arrests in 2014 including 104 for drunkenness, 120 reported assaults and 28 drink-drivers.

"The vast majority of Victorians did exactly what we knew they'd do," Deputy Commissioner Andrew Crisp told reporters on Friday.

"We knew they'd go out, they'd have fun, they'd enjoy themselves and see in the New Year, so I thank those Victorians for doing exactly that."

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer said highway patrol police caught 22 drink-drivers and 23 drug-drivers between 5.30am and 9.30am on New Year's Day.

Firefighters doused 41 fires sparked by illicit fireworks between midnight and 2am.

Most were small and no property was damaged.

Two men suffered facial burns from illegal fireworks in separate incidents at Pykes Creek and Inverloch, and both were taken to local hospitals in a stable condition.

Ambulance Victoria Health Commander Neil Akers said none of the burns was significant.

"It's frustrating that we put warnings out about the risks of using illegal fireworks, yet it hasn't deterred some people," he said.

A man in his 20s suffered severe head and pelvic injuries after falling from a Kew balcony just before 2.30am.

At 2am a man in his 20s was badly hurt when he jumped from a Cowes pier but landed head first on sand.

Both men are in The Alfred hospital in a critical condition.

Mr Akers said triple-zero calls in central Melbourne were down about a third on last year.

Most calls were for falls, assaults and alcohol overuse.


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Source: AAP



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