Police happy with New Year’s Eve behaviour

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ACT Policing was generally pleased with the behavior of the New Year’s Eve crowd in Canberra overnight, with 16 people taken into custody.

The number of people who attended New Year’s Eve in Civic was down on previous years.

Superintendent Jason Kennedy said extensive police foot patrols were conducted throughout the evening and into the early hours around Canberra’s entertainment precincts.

“Police were pleased to see people who chose to celebrate in the city were happy and enjoyed a good night,” said Superintendent Kennedy.

“One person was arrested for assault outside a licensed premises and one person was arrested for hindering police and possessing a knife in a public place outside a licensed premises.”

Across the evening, six people were issued exclusion notices, 9 people were taken into protective custody as a result of intoxication.

Four people under the age of 18 were found intoxicated and will be referred to an alcohol diversion program.

Superintendent Kennedy said Traffic Operations conducted 336 roadside breath tests for alcohol.

“Two people were caught drink driving and five drug driving,” he said.

Across Canberra police issued 11 Traffic Infringement Notices for speeding, driving with an unrestrained child, disobeying a stop sign and using a mobile phone and driving an unregistered vehicle.

Police remind drivers that double demerits will remain in force until midnight tonight (January 1 2020).

Media enquiries

Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au

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