Tasmania Police ‘pleased’ with New Year’s Eve behaviour overall, 15 arrests made in South

Tasmania Police has praised New Year’s Eve revellers for their good behaviour overall as they rang in 2024. However, more than 200 incidents were responded to and 15 arrests were made in the South alone.

Tasmania Police responded to more than 200 incidents across the state on New Year’s Eve.

Tasmania Police responded to more than 200 incidents across the state on New Year’s Eve, including instances of public disorder, drink driving and family violence, arresting about 15 people in the South of the state alone.

However, police said revellers were generally well-behaved as they rang in 2024.

While the Hobart waterfront was packed with people on Sunday night for the Taste of Summer, no arrests were made and anti-social behaviour was “quite minimal”, according to police.

Tasmania Police Acting Inspector Adrian Leary said 15 people were arrested in the South and police responded to 130 incidents in the district, with 55 of these occurring between 12am and 2am on Monday morning.

Tasmania Police responded to more than 200 incidents across the state on New Year’s Eve. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

In the state’s North, people celebrated at BeerFest at Royal Park in Launceston and at licenced venues in the CBD area. There were 76 incidents recorded and seven arrests made, three of which were drink driving-related, Acting Inspector Phillip Norton said.

“Northern police conducted high visibility patrols at the Royal Park event as well as foot patrols in the CBD focusing on licensed premises and public order throughout the night,” he said.

“While police responded to a number of anti-social behaviour, and traffic-related incidents across the district, overall behaviour was pleasing, and patrons celebrated safely.”

Meanwhile, in the North-West and West Coast, there were events on the Burnie waterfront and the Devonport foreshore, and the King Island Cup was held.

Burnie waterfront

“However, behaviour across these events was extremely pleasing,” Acting Inspector Tony Stewart said.

“There were very few reports of anti-social behaviour, and three arrests made – two drink driving offences, and a youth for disorderly behaviour in the Burnie CBD.”

A 21-year-old Burnie man was arrested after he allegedly evaded police on a motorbike at Macquarie Heads about 8pm on Sunday.

“The learner rider has been charged with aggravated evade, and exceed .05 [blood alcohol content] – returning a reading of 0.183. He was immediately disqualified for two years and bailed to appear in the Burnie Magistrates Court in March,” Acting Inspector Stewart said.

Police credited their highly visible presence at events across Tasmania for ensuring anti-social behaviour was kept to a minimum.

Acting Inspector Leary said violence and anti-social behaviour had “no place in our communities and we are pleased people received our message that this type of behaviour wouldn’t be tolerated”.

Two drivers allegedly blowing over the limit on New Year’s Day

Police caught two people allegedly drink driving at Bridport on New Year’s Day morning.

In total, officers from the North East Division intercepted 121 drivers across two sites on Main Road and Sandy Point Road.

A 42-year-old from Scamander allegedly reportedly returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.058 and police will proceed against him by summons for allegedly exceeding 0.05.

While, a 17-year-old P-plater from Exeter allegedly blew 0.036. It is against the law for people under the age of 18 to have any alcohol in their system.

Senior Sergeant Rob King urged the public to think before getting behind the wheel.

“This traffic operation came on the back of a similar operation last night and a busy night for police, with Bridport on New Year’s Eve again proving a popular spot for revellers,” Senior Sergeant King said.

“These results show that whilst most people are doing the right thing, the risk of driving after a night of celebrations is real.”

He said people needed to carefully consider their condition before getting behind the wheel of a car, with intoxication and fatigue among the fatal five.

Originally published as Tasmania Police ‘pleased’ with New Year’s Eve behaviour overall, 15 arrests made in South