They were given on-the-spot fines of $234, even though the fines doubled from last Thursday.

Sergeant Damian Keegan of Bendigo police said: ‘’Due to the short notice and little advertising around the increase, those 13 issued with drunken disorderly infringement notices were not charged the new rate.’’

But anyone caught from now on would face a fine of $468, he said.

Sergeant Keegan said he hoped the new rate would act to discourage anyone planning a night out from drinking themselves silly.

‘‘The drunken yobbo behaviour needs to stop and an increase of the infringement notice for public drunkenness or drunken disorderly should act as a reminder to watch your alcohol consumption.’’

Sergeant Keegan said that on an average weekend in Bendigo, 13 fines were issued for drunk and disorderly behaviour.

Clubs and pubs in Bendigo were expected to do their part, he said, and they would display notices about the increased fines.

Meanwhile, in Melbourne on Saturday, elite special operations group police have used a stun gun on a man and his dog in Deer Park following a shooting incident.

Police in Bendigo and Morwell were issued with Tasers only yesterday as part of a 12-month operational trial.