Covid cops unleashed for a massive Australia Day blitz on the Gold Coast

Police recently relieved from Covid duty are on the precipice of a major speeding and drink-driving crackdown for Australia Day revellers.

GOLD Coast police recently relieved from Covid duty are being unleashed in a massive Australia Day blitz.

Dozens of officers will be patrolling Coast roads, waterways and parks in the 24-hour operation.

It will include a drink-driving and speeding crackdown on major roads and the Southport Broadwater and a ‘wanding’ blitz in the party precincts of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach where police armed with metal detectors will screen revellers for weapons.

“Our tolerance for anti-social behaviour will be very low,” warned the Coast’s top cop, Acting Chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman.

Police relieved from Covid duties prepare for Aus Day speeding and drink-driving crackdown on the Gold Coast.

He said officers who had recently finished lengthy border checkpoint and hotel quarantine duties, along with water police and other specialists, would be involved in the Australia Day operation which will be run from the major command centre.

It will include enforcing new 6knot speed limits near Wavebreak Island in the Southport Broadwater and a major police presence in traditional Australia Day hotspots The Spit and Burleigh Heads.

Supt Wildman said police wanted locals and tourists to enjoy Australia Day celebrations but to do so safely and respectfully.

He said officers would be using a ‘common sense’ approach but would not tolerate illegal activity or anti-social behaviour.

Revellers are being advised to wear masks around large groups of people, even outdoors, to stop the spread of Covid.

Originally published as Covid cops unleashed for a massive Australia Day blitz on the Gold Coast