Police have established a strike force as they say “investigations continue into offences committed during a brawl at Manly earlier this week”.
The announcement follows significant attention from an article in Manly Observer, which then caught national attention.
NSW Police this afternoon issued a statement to say they had established a dedicated Strike Force involving Manly Detectives to get to the bottom of what happened and who was responsible for various crimes that evening.
A statement from police read: “Shortly after 9pm on Monday 6 January 2025, officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command were called to Manly Wharf on The Esplanade, following reports of a large brawl.
“Numerous police crews arrived at the scene within minutes to find about 40 people – many of whom were believed to be juveniles – fighting in the street.”
“Those involved fled upon the arrival of officers and police assisted in dispersing the remaining crowd. A knife was found discarded on the ground and seized.
“Police identified and spoke with a number of witnesses who went to the aid of a teenage male being assaulted by a number of people on the roadway. The witnesses were alsoassaulted while attempting to intervene.”
Two of these witnessed told Manly Observer police were not interested in taking their statements at the time. However, interest in the case appears to have changed.
“Strike Force Crookhaven has been established to investigate the brawl and investigators have obtained and reviewed extensive CCTV footage, identifying several people depicted in the vision.
“As part of ongoing inquiries, police have released CCTV images of two witnesses who they are seeking to identify to assist with their inquiries.
The first man depicted is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his 60s, of medium build, with short grey hair and wearing a stripe shirt, dark shorts and thongs.
The second man depicted is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his 40s, of medium build, with short dark hair and wearing a blue t-shirt, denim shorts and white sneakers.”
Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information or footage to contact Northern Beaches Police Area Command.
Investigations under Strike Force Crookhaven continue.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000
