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Gunshots heard amid Cronulla violence

December 12, 2005 - 6:14PM

Gunshots have been heard in Cronulla after racial violence erupted in the southern Sydney area again on Monday night.

Police could not confirm reports a person had been shot, but reporters in the area said they heard gunshots near the Northies Hotel.

The hotel is located opposite North Cronulla beach, the scene of race-fuelled violent attacks on Sunday targeting men of Middle Eastern appearance.

Cronulla residents on Monday night flooded the suburb's streets with some claiming they had been told by police they could carry weapons as long as they were discreet.

Scuffles broke out when police apprehended five men near the hotel and held them to the ground.

As photographers tried to photograph the scene an angry crowd gathered around the men yelling "come on boys smile, make your mum proud" and "don't worry you've got some friends in jail".

Residents said the men had come into the area in carloads from Lakemba, but police could not confirm this.

© 2005 AAP
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