Bluesfest 2022 arrests: Four serious incidents at music festival

Police have arrested or fined three men at the 2022 Bluesfest in what they say was otherwise a very well run operation by organisers and patrons.

Police have praised organisers and patrons at Bluesfest 2022 for an extremely well-behaved weekend.

Tweed Byron Police District Chief Inspector Michael Dempsey said from a police perspective the event was mostly positive.

He said a number of people were detained due to intoxication they were later released once they sobered up and some were removed by festival security.

Across the whole weekend he said there were only four serious incidents;

On Friday a 52-year-old man was arrested after allegedly assaulting his wife.

Insp Dempsey said the man became separated from his wife at the event, he attended different tents before reuniting at around 11.40pm where he alleged dragged her on the ground by the hair, kicked and punched her.

Police have praised patrons at Bluesfest for being extremely well behaved this year. Picture: Liana Walker

The alleged incident was witnessed by police, security and a number of patrons.

The woman allegedly suffered minor cuts and bleeding to her left elbow.

The man was arrested and taken to Byron Bay Police station where he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, domestic violence related. He will face Byron Bay Court on May 16.

A 36-year-old man was also charged for breaching an apprehended violence order and breaching bail on Monday. He was bail refused and due to front Byron Bay Local Court on Tuesday.

A 26-year-old man was given an infringement notice after he attended the medical tent completely naked.

Insp Dempsey said the man began making his way to the tent just before midday on Sunday where he began taking his clothing off as he walked to the tent, arriving completely naked.

He said nearby security wrapped him in an aluminium blanked and escorted him to the police command post where he was then conveyed to Byron Bay police station due to intoxication by liquor or drugs.

He received an infringement notice for offensive conduct for $500.

Insp Dempsey said police also responded to a self-harm incident over the weekend where a 29-year-old was taken to Tweed Heads Hospital.