‘We will find them’; Police taskforce to track down Clarendon Vale hoons

Investigations into alleged hooning and disorderly conduct in Clarendon Vale have resulted in drugs, cash, fireworks, flares and two cars being seized. Police’s message for hoons >>

A 60-strong Tasmania Police taskforce has been established to investigate the hooning and disorderly conduct in Clarendon Vale over the weekend, with police confirming they “won’t rest” until all involved are apprehended.

Around 27 residences and vehicles were searched today following the mass disturbance in Bradman Street last Friday involving 150 people and six cars.

Police seized quantities of cannabis, cash, fireworks and flares and said one man had been charged with drug driving while three others would be proceeded against via summons for traffic offences.

Two vehicles seized over Clarendon Vale incident. Picture: Tasmania Police/supplied

Tasmania Police inspector Andrew Keane said increased patrols of the Clarendon Vale would continue until other offenders were located.

“Hooning doesn’t do this incident justice,” he said.

“It’s a rare level of behaviour.

“People can’t go around harassing residents and not expect consequences.”

Tasmania Police Inspector Andrew Keane at the Bellerive Police Station on Wednesday.

Mr Keane said the people involved in the Bradman Street incident had gathered following a wake at a local sports club and had been hooning throughout the Eastern Shore area before gathering in Clarendon Vale at around 3pm.

Shortly after, police reported calls from residents relating to a gathering of people hooning and disorderly conduct which included burnouts and setting off fireworks.

Items including bricks and fireworks were allegedly thrown at officers, and the vehicle belonging to one of the offenders was set alight, Mr Keane said.

Bradman Street, Clarendon Vale. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Around 30 officers in total were called to the area after behaviour escalated,” he said.

“When police turned up, they were met with a barrage of bricks, flares and fireworks.”

“We did have four police cars damaged and it was sheer good luck no one was injured.”

Mr Keane said police were determined to locate all offenders.

“There’s a very decent per cent of community living in those areas that just get on with their lives but it’s these thoughtless, cowardly people driving in dangerous manners and to put it politely, we will not put up with this selfish behaviour,” he said.

“We haven’t recovered all the cars involved in the building nor the drivers.

“We know who all of them are and we will be spending the next few weeks looking for those cars and expecting most of those people will be charged as well as drug offences and other traffic measures.”

Originally published as ‘We will find them’; Police taskforce to track down Clarendon Vale hoons