Police, council share crime-tackling measures after three charged over CBD bus mall brawl
As three young people were charged over a melee in the heart of Hobart’s CBD, police have come forward saying this is not the sign of an epidemic in youth crime.
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Three young people have been charged over a melee which broke out at a busy bus mall in Hobart’s CBD.
Police were called to a brawl alleging to involving 20 people the Elizabeth St bus mall just after 6pm on Wednesday.
A 25-year-old man and two 15-year-olds were hit with charges including behave in a violent manner, unlawfully possess a dangerous article (a knife), disorderly conduct, obstruct police and resist arrest.
Detective Inspector Troy Morrisby said police were continuing their investigation, following up with further people who were also expected to be charged.
Det Insp Morrisby said the public incident was “regrettable” but police had taken “appropriate action” in the circumstance.
He said officers had presences in several bus malls, with many “good results” but this kind of behaviour would continue from "time to time”.
Despite several violent incidents in the city in recent weeks including an assault at Woolworths in Moonah, and an alleged stabbing at Harris Scarfe, Det Insp Morrisby said this was not signs of an “epidemic” in crime.
“At the moment it might feel like there are a lot of issues around there about public places, and behaviour, but I can assure everyone that we are taking very positive steps to address it,” he said.
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said it was sad to see this kind of incident in the CBD, which could be distressing for visitors and locals alike.
“We work with Tasmania Police and provide them with footage from the extensive CCTV coverage that we’ve installed in the CBD, and the Elizabeth Street bus mall in particular,” Ms Reynolds said.
She said as a recent interim measure, the city had employed security personnel in Wellington Court to help reduce this behaviour.
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