Police praise behaviour of Sydney NYE revellers

Sydney locals have flocked to the beach on New Year’s Day as police praised the behaviour of most revellers overnight.

Sydney locals have flocked to the beach on the first day of 2023, while police said they were “pleased” with the behaviour of most revellers during New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Temperatures were comparatively mild on in Sydney on Sunday, with a predicted maximum of 27 degrees well below Melbourne’s anticipated top of 35 degrees, but the city’s iconic Bondi Beach was popular with crowds nonetheless.

Crowds hit the beach at Bondi early on New Year’s Day: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Police said significant crowds gathered on the city’s CBD, Sydney Harbour Foreshore, with police making 83 arrests and laying 25 charges for various offences, including assault police, drug related offences and offensive behaviour.

They said more than 200,000 people filled into the city and foreshore areas for the 9pm and midnight firework shows, with a “surge” at the Sydney Harbour Bridge requiring “significant” police resources for crowd control management.

The predicted maximum temperature for Sydney on Sunday was a relatively mild 27 degrees. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Operation New Year’s Eve 2022 Commander, Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke, said most Sydneysiders were well behaved and celebrated safely.

“Once again, Sydney welcomed the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display, and the vast majority of revellers enjoyed their night safely,” Assistant Commissioner Cooke said.

Beach-goers arrived at Bondi early pon Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“It was still disappointing to see some people being reckless and disregarding the rules, with police giving move-on directions and making arrests on multiple occasions,” he said.

“I would like to thank those members of the community who celebrated the beginning of 2023 responsibly, in what we hope is a better year for everyone.”

Revellers pushing through in St Kilda, Melbourne, in the very early hours of Sunday morning. Picture: David Crosling

“For those continuing celebrations into the morning and across New Year’s Day, our officers will maintain a highly-visible presence across the state to ensure all revellers do so safely.”

In Victoria, police said they “saturated” Melbourne’s CBD to monitor crowd behaviour, and made a total of 49 arrests across the state.