Tasmania’s New Year’s Eve celebrations went off with mostly good cheer as thousands across the state rang in 2024 without major mayhem.
Police reported around 200 incidents during the night, but described revellers overall as “generally well-behaved”.
Acting Inspector Adrian Leary praised the behaviour of the crowd who gathered on Hobart’s waterfront to witness the midnight fireworks and said no one was hauled away in cuffs.
In the southern part of the state, police responded to 55 incidents between midnight and 2am, while in the north, officers were called to 76 incidents and made seven arrests.
“Disappointingly, across the broader Southern District, around 15 people were arrested with police responding to 130 incidents, including public disorder, abusive language, drink driving and some family violence matters,” Leary said.
“New Year’s Eve celebrations may be over, however we will continue to be out on our roads and in public areas working to keep people safe as they continue to celebrate the holiday season.”
In the north, police dealt with several anti-social hiccups and traffic mishaps, but Acting Inspector Phillip Norton said he was generally happy with the crowd’s conduct.
“Northern police conducted high visibility patrols at the Royal Park event as well as foot patrols in the CBD focusing on licensed premises and public order throughout the night,” Norton said.
Just three people were arrested in the state’s west and north-west, two for drink driving offences and a youth for disorderly behaviour in the Burnie CBD.
“There were three major events within the district – Burnie waterfront, Devonport Foreshore and King Island Cup race day … There were very few reports of anti-social behaviour,” Acting Inspector Tony Stewart said.
“A 21-year-old Burnie man was arrested after allegedly evading police on a motorbike on Macquarie Heads Road at Macquarie Heads about 8pm,” Stewart said.
“The learner rider has been charged with aggravated evade and exceed .05 – returning a reading of 0.183. He was immediately disqualified for two years and bailed to appear in the Burnie Magistrates Court in March.”
