How to report Tasmanian hoons to Crime Stoppers

Everyone has a part to play in slamming the brakes on hoons on Tasmania’s hoons and dangerous drivers, Crime Stoppers says. Here’s how.

A photo released by Tasmania Police showing churned up sand from hooning on Cloudy Bay Beach, Bruny Island in 2024.

Everyone has a part to play in slamming the brakes on hoons on Tasmania’s hoons and dangerous drivers, Crime Stoppers says.

Crime Stoppers Tasmania ambassador Mark Mewis wants people to know tips are valuable, especially when packed with detailed information, could make an impact to get dangerous drivers off the road.

He said unfortunately many tips don’t contain enough information to help police investigations.

A recent hooning incident at a pub carpark at Bruny Island demonstrates dangerous driving isn’t limited to busy cities.

Mark Mewis, Ambassador Crime Stoppers Tasmania and Inspector Nick Clark, Tasmania Police on the importance of community tips to crack down on dangerous drivers. Picture: Supplied/Crime Stoppers Tasmania

“It is clear — our community wants our roads to be safer, and we want to support them with knowing what information helps investigations and follow up,” Mr Mewis said.

“We’re calling out hooning of any type as being unacceptable behaviour in our neighbourhoods, in our towns and in our cities and that’s whether it’s in a suburban street or park, on our main streets or in industrial areas such as where we are today, where clearly, we can see there has been illegal activity.

“The risk to people’s safety is very real, and the potential damage to property cannot be underestimated.”

Information that helps authorities take action includes vehicle registration, make, model and colour; street, suburb, time and date; what the driver was doing, the number of vehicles and people involved, and names if you know them.

If it’s a regular and ongoing issue, that is also valuable information.

Mr Mewis said photos and video could also be uploaded with tip-offs onto the Crime Stoppers Tasmania website.

Photos and video can add great value to a tip, with passengers or a passer-by in a better position to take them than a driving having to pull over to the road side.

He said every tip was followed up, “but it’s the ones that contain the best information that can result in a positive outcome for everyone”.

“Community tips really do make a difference,” he said.

Tasmania Police Inspector Nick Clark said dangerous driving behaviour, including hooning, was a priority for Tasmania Police.

“While most road users respect each other and themselves enough to stick to the road rules, there are some who continue to commit offences on our roads,” Inspector Clark said. “Hooning is not only illegal, it’s also dangerous, annoying, and puts people’s lives at risk. “We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour.”

If you see illegal, unlawful or suspicious behaviour, please report it to police at the time by calling 131 444.

In an emergency call triple-0 (000). Information about crime can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as How to report Tasmanian hoons to Crime Stoppers