Police to swarm busy Gold Coast areas and threaten to issue $133 fines to revellers busted drinking in public

Police have released video of people boozing on Burleigh Hill last Sunday as they promise to swarm parklands and beaches this weekend to catch people drinking in public.

POLICE will swarm busy parklands and beaches at the weekend and have threatened to fine revellers busted boozing in public.

Large crowds are expected to gather across the Gold Coast at the weekend to celebrate Mother’s Day.

Police will be out-and-about targeting beaches and parklands in areas such as Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Burleigh Hill.

Gold Coast Police Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler warned police will be on the lookout for people breaching social distancing rules or drinking in public.

“Mother’s Day is a special family occasion that deserves to be celebrated but it is important to remember that there are still restrictions in place and social distancing rules still apply,” he said.

“It is also important to remind the community that drinking in a public place like a park or the beach is an offence in Queensland and if detected by police an on the spot fine of $133 can be issued.”

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Barricades on Burleigh Hill. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Police will also be monitoring traffic and movement throughout the Gold Coast with random intercepts being conducted to ensure compliance with the Chief Health Officer’s directions.

“Our policing focus is in engaging with the community and education but where there is blatant and deliberate acts of ignoring Chief Health Officer’s directives or legislation police will take the necessary action,” Supt Wheeler said.

Mesh barricades and extra signs were erected on Burleigh Hill earlier this week, after more than 100 people gathered on Sunday afternoon despite the social distancing restrictions.

Originally published as Police to swarm busy Gold Coast areas and threaten to issue $133 fines to revellers busted drinking in public