Police investigate anti-social and dangerous behaviour at Bridgewater after alleged assaults

The municipality’s ‘wonderful people’ shouldn’t be judged by the actions of a few, its mayor says after video emerged of an alleged violent fracas in Bridgewater. WATCH THE VIDEO >>

UPDATED: Brighton Mayor Leigh Gray has leapt to the defence of his community following a major disturbance in the streets of Bridgewater, saying the vast majority of residents living in the area are “wonderful people” who should not be stigmatised as a result of the highly publicised alleged violent fracas.

A NSW man has been charged with instigating the commission of a simple offence, with Tasmania Police alleging his actions led to a “significant number of people congregating” near Green Point Rd on Saturday before “engaging in hooning and other anti-social and dangerous behaviours”.

The 38-year-old will appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court at a later date. No plea has been entered.

Mr Gray said the image of the Brighton municipality should not be unfairly tarnished due to the alleged events at Bridgewater.

Leigh Gray Mayor of Brighton. Picture: Adam Harding/Zoodoo Zoo

“It is important to remember that there are over 20,000 people in our municipality and like anywhere else, the vast majority of them are wonderful people who do the right thing,” he said.

“The [alleged] actions of a small number of people … should not be used to judge or generalise our vibrant and resilient community.

“I thank the police, who did an excellent job of calming the situation and minimising damage and harm, under very difficult circumstances.”

While no one was injured as a result of the alleged incidents near the Green Point Plaza shopping centre, three police cars were allegedly “extensively damaged” and two officers assaulted after attending the scene.

As Tasmania Police continued to investigate the matter on Sunday, videos circulated on social media showing people jumping on police vehicles and hooning in cars and on motorbikes.

Businesses and offices at the Green Point Plaza include a Woolworths, a BWS, and the electorate office of Lyons Labor MHR Brian Mitchell.

It’s understood the BWS was forced to close for 15 minutes on Saturday after smoke from a burnout triggered the store’s smoke alarm, which in turn set off the alarm for the entire shopping centre, forcing a full evacuation.

A spokeswoman for Endeavour Group, the parent company of BWS, said there were “no threats or abuse towards our team during the incident”.

Woolworths customers and team members were evacuated from the supermarket for 20 minutes before it reopened for trade.

Lyons Labor MHR Brian. Picture: Alex Treacy

Mr Mitchell praised the response of police and said no damage had been done to his office.

“I fully support the police in taking action to identify and charge anyone [allegedly] involved in assaulting police and damaging vehicles and property,” he said.

“There is no excuse for the [alleged] appalling behaviour that the vast majority of law-abiding Bridgewater people had to put up with yesterday afternoon.”

Police allege hooning, dangerous behaviour instigated by NSW man

INITIAL: Tasmania Police have made an arrest after a suburb descended into chaos with reports emerging throughout Saturday afternoon of businesses closing early due to the unrest.

Damage to Tasmania Police car after unrest in the Gagebrook and Bridgewater area on April 13th 2024. Picture: Facebook

Officers say a 38-year-old New South Wales man has been charged with instigating the commission of a simple offence following the “significant disturbance” in Bridgewater.

Police allege the man’s actions resulted in a large gathering near Green Point Rd.

It’s alleged hooning and other anti-social and dangerous behaviours occurred during this time, with much of it shared on social media pages.

In those videos, people can be seen jumping on police cars and hooning on motorbikes and in cars.

Police report three cars were extensively damaged, with photos including smashed windows and significant dents to the vehicles.

Damage to Tasmania Police car after unrest in the Gagebrook and Bridgewater area on April 13th 2024. Picture: Facebook

Damage to Tasmania Police car after unrest in the Gagebrook and Bridgewater area on April 13th 2024. Picture: Facebook

They also allege two officers were assaulted after attending the scene.

Officers confirmed no one was injured due to the incident.

Police say investigations are continuing into the matter with police working to identify those who engaged in the behaviour.

The 38-year-old man was bailed to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court at a later date.

Throughout Saturday afternoon, it was reported on community Facebook pages that most shops in the suburb closed due to the incident.

Damage to Tasmania Police car after unrest in the Gagebrook and Bridgewater area on April 13th 2024. Picture: Facebook

Crowds gathered at the Bridgewater shops on Green Point Road. Unrest in the Gagebrook and Bridgewater area on April 13th 2024. Picture: Facebook

Anyone with information about the people involved, or dashcam or other footage of the incident, is asked to contact police on 131 444 and quote ESCAD282-13042024. Information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au. You can stay anonymous.