Millions party safely as vigilant police deter trouble
Robyn Wuth |
Police across the nation have praised the respectful behaviour of millions of New Year revellers, marred only by a handful of serious violent altercations and firework mishaps.
After the December 14 terror attack at Bondi Beach that killed 15 people, there was a highly visible police presence in all capital cities, with many officers carrying long-arm weapons.
Millions of Australians crammed foreshores and parks, backyards and lounge rooms, to ring in the new year with spectacular firework displays.
As the clean-up got underway on Thursday, emergency services welcomed the generally good behaviour of attendees but highlighted several concerning incidents.
In Melbourne, two men sustained serious injuries when they were attacked by a group of up to seven men, armed with knives and machetes, outside a Carlton restaurant.
A 20-year-old Heidelberg West man and an 18-year-old NSW man were being treated in hospital for stab wounds.
Ambulance Victoria medical director David Anderson said there were two reports of violence targeting officers.
Paramedics in Dandenong activated their duress alarm and fled when they were charged by an individual, and in Ballarat there were death threats.
“These two cases are completely unacceptable and we will not be silent on the appalling behaviour that our paramedics are subjected to whilst they go about delivering care in the community,” Dr Anderson told reporters.
Across NSW, thousands of armed officers patrolled streets and venues as crowds converged on the CBD, the Sydney Harbour foreshore, and events in major country centres.
More than 38 arrests were made across Sydney for offences including assaults, affray, assaulting police and offensive conduct.
“We saw people come together after a heartbreaking month. Most revellers enjoyed a safe and trouble-free night,” Assistant Police Commissioner Peter McKenna said.
“Unfortunately, police were kept busy by a handful of people doing the wrong thing, particularly a number of illegal fireworks being set off, resulting in several injuries.”
Victoria Police said officers made 18 arrests for incidents including assaults, driving and property offences.
There were also more than 300 firework-related incidents with a 31-year-old man hospitalised with serious facial injuries and another man sustaining a serious finger injury.
A rooftop garden caught alight after a firework mishap at a Treasury Place building which hosts the office of Premier Jacinta Allan.
The blaze was quickly extinguished, and no injuries were reported.
South Australian Assistant Police Commissioner John De Candia said most revellers were “respectful and well-behaved, though unfortunately a small number chose to act irresponsibly”.
SA Police recorded 72 arrests and 10 reports, and issued 225 expiation notices for offences such as drug possession, alcohol consumption in dry zones and disorderly conduct.
A 12-year-old girl was stabbed in the abdomen during an altercation at the Salisbury interchange around 7pm.
Three teenage girls were arrested a short time later and refused bail.
Three people were also arrested after two police officers were assaulted while trying to break up a fight at suburban Underdale about 11pm.
A man and a teenage girl were charged and a woman was issued with a caution.
About midnight, police were called to a disturbance in the Brisbane CBD where one man armed with scissors was involved in a dispute with two teenagers.
“There will always be a small number of people who will choose to do the wrong thing,” Queensland Acting Chief Superintendent Heath McQueen said.
“However, due to our large-scale police presence, we were able to respond to these minor incidents quickly and minimise disruption to the celebrations.”
AAP
