Riot police have had to break up wild, out of control parties at Airbnb rentals which have left teens scarred for life and seen homes trashed and stained with blood.
NSW Police revealed on Friday they had repeatedly been called out to a series of post-Covid parties across Sydney which got out of hand and ended in violence.
Images released show some of the devastation left in the wake, after partygoers had been allegedly stabbed or injured and home-owners' rental properties destroyed.
Now worried cops have warned homeowners and party hosts to beware ahead of New Year celebrations, amid allegations Airbnb have been blocking investigations into the incidents.
Police revealed they had been called out to at least five different parties that had blown up into major incidents, including stand-offs between police, hosts and gatecrashers.
At one party in Wentworth Point, an 18-year-old girl was smashed over the head with a bottle when 16 gatecrashers armed with knives, a hammer and sticks tried to burst in just before dawn.
More than 25 partygoers were crammed into the two-bedroom unit which was trashed during the fight.
Guests were caught fleeing the scene on CCTV as police arrived at 4.20am to find the blood-splattered home and the injured girl whose feet were also cut by broken glass.
Items were also stolen from the home.
Meanwhile, a 25-year-old man was allegedly stabbed in the back after police tried to break up another party that boiled over into a brawl in The Rocks.
More than 130 people had been partying in a three-bedroom apartment when officers were attacked when they tried to shut it down after complaints.
'There were reports of significant damage inside the property, including smashed windows, carpet damage and bloodied walls,' said a police spokesman.
Riot squad officers had to be called in to end a stand-off between police, hosts and gatecrashers at another party in Schofields.
'On arrival, police located more than 20 people outside a nearby home and another group inside – with both groups refusing to speak with officers or allow entry to the property,' revealed police.
'Every room in the four-bedroom property sustained cosmetic damage as well as multiple holes in the walls, broken windows and furniture, damage to kitchen appliances and a broken fence.
'Further, numerous items were reportedly stolen from the home.'
Another incident saw 150 people celebrating in a three-bedroom home in Arncliffe which needed the dog unit to clear the building which was left 'in disarray'.
Riot squad police officers had to dodge a hail of bottles from a balcony of a flat in Ultimo when the crowd of 100 at another party got out of hand.
'A 30-year-old man was located in the apartment with lacerations to his head and face and was treated at hospital before being released later that day,' added the spokesman.
'A 19-year-old man was arrested a short time later and charged. He remains before the courts.
'Numerous walls and doors within the apartment sustained significant damage and various pieces of furniture and household items were destroyed.'
Pictures from the parties reveal smashed windows, holes kicked and punched in walls, and bloodstains through the homes.
But police sources claim Airbnb have refused to help investigators track down the perpetrators.
'It’s the complete opposite of dealing with a hotel – when we arrive at the Meriton or somewhere, they show us the guest register immediately,' one told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Investigators say the company refuses to release details because of privacy and data protection concerns.
But the company are now said to have banned certain users and refused bookings of less than three nights to new users in a bid to combat the problem.
However Assistant Police Commissioner Peter Thurtell warned: 'Homes are being seriously damaged, and the safety of attendees and the broader community is being threatened
'Anyone who would be disrespectful enough to trash another person’s property would obviously not care about a corporation-imposed party ban, so the onus for protecting the property lies mostly with the owner.'
Airbnb owners were advised to lay down the law to the short-term renters and ask neighbours to alert them if parties got out of hand - and to get extra insurance.
Neighbours should contact the police if they're worried and hosts were encouraged to register the party with police and hire security if needed to protect against gatecrashers.
Assistant Commissioner Thurtell added: 'Violent behaviour will not be tolerated, and we remind people to act sensibly and respectfully.
'If you are breaking the law, you will be arrested.'
Airbnb say they have an online portal for police to submit legal requests under Airbnb's terms of service, privacy policy and law enforcement guidelines.
The company says it has a global ban on parties at properties rented through the app and anyone found behaving badly is banned.
'The overwhelming majority of our community are respectful travellers and considerate neighbours,' said Derek Nolan, Airbnb’s ANZ Head of Public Policy.
'Safety incidents are extremely rare on Airbnb. We remain focused on working with government and police to help ensure each stay is a positive experience for hosts, guests and the wider community.'
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