THE BEAT: Police kept busy across NYE but authorities say they were happy with community behaviour

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• Four fire appliances at blaze in Blackmans Bay
• Patron was treated in hospital after sustaining injuries in a ‘crowded’ waterfront concert

SEVERAL motorists were caught drink driving and a serious assault left two Moonah residents in hospital on a night of New Year’s Eve partying which authorities were generally pleased with.

Acting Inspector Dean McMahon said officers across the state were kept busy on Thursday night and into Friday morning but were mostly satisfied with the way Tasmanians brought in 2021.

Overall 23 arrests were made by police.

There were seven motorists caught drinking-driving on the night, while most police activity happened in the state’s South.

“Hobart crews had a busy night, mostly confined to the suburbs,” Insp McMahon said.

“The waterfront was highly populated, mainly due to the lack of the Falls Festival.”

Insp McMahon said of particular concern to police was an assault in Hobart’s northern suburbs which left two people end up in hospital.

“There was an assault in Moonah which saw two people hospitalised which is being investigated by Glenorchy CIB,” he said.

Marina ambience Constitution Dock Hobart Fireworks New Year's Eve. Picture: DANIEL FORSTER for boating page for Hobart Mercury

“Overall Tasmania Police was satisfied with the behaviour of the community.

“Anti social behaviour was minimal, but what we did see happen was a push of some of the anti-social behaviour into the suburbs. So the diversion of police resources was outside of the city.”

Police said the crowd at the Burnie New Year’s Eve Sports Carnival was generally well behaved but said a 39-year-old Hillcrest man was arrested after he entered the reserved area of the sports venue during the event.

Footage caught at the even shows the streaker was tackled hard by what organisers said was an off-duty police officer.

An Ambulance Tasmania spokesman said four riders were injured in a race and were transported to the North West Regional Hospital with various injuries where they were treated before being discharged.

Meanwhile, four firefighting crews attended a blaze at Roslyn Ave, Blackmans Bay just after 9pm last night.

Tasmania Fire Service said crews from Kingston and Hobart responded to the triple-0 call reporting a house on fire.

On arrival crews found smoke coming from the building.

Roslyn Rd was closed and traffic was diverted until 10.50pm

TFS crews were also called to a structure fire at Tyne Rd in Mathinna and another at Holbrook St in Invermay overnight.

Originally published as THE BEAT: Police kept busy across NYE but authorities say they were happy with community behaviour