NSW Police will remain throughout the City CBD and surrounding suburbs as crowds attending New Year’s Eve celebrations make their way home safely.
Operation New Year’s Eve 2022 commenced yesterday (Saturday 31 December 2022), as significant crowds converged on the CBD, Sydney Harbour foreshore and at events across the state.
General duties officers from multiple police area commands and districts across the state will be assisted by Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Police Transport Command, the Public Order and Riot Squad, Operations Support Group, Licensing Police, Mounted and Dog Command, Marine Area Command, and PolAir.
While there were a few exceptions, most people were well-behaved and enjoyed their celebrations safely and responsibly.
Several vantage points around the city were at capacity by late-afternoon, as over 200,000 revellers travelled into the city and foreshore areas ahead of the 9pm and midnight fireworks displays.
Just before midnight, large crowds surged towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge resulting in significant police resources being deployed to the area for crowd management.
Across the CBD and Sydney Harbour foreshore, 83 arrests were made, and 25 charges laid for various offences, including assault police, assault, prohibited drug related offences, offensive behaviour. Over 200 traffic and railway infringement notices were issued.
Operation New Year’s Eve 2022 Commander, Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke, said most Sydneysiders were well-behaved and celebrated the New Year safely.
“Once again, Sydney welcomed the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display, and the vast majority of revellers enjoyed their night safely,” Assistant Commissioner Cooke said.
“It was still disappointing to see some people being reckless and disregarding the rules, with police giving move-on directions and making arrests on multiple occasions.
“I would like to thank those members of the community who celebrated the beginning of 2022 responsibly, in what we hope is a better year for everyone.”
“For those continuing celebrations into the morning and across New Year’s Day, our officers will maintain a highly-visible presence across the state to ensure all revellers do so safely. Commissioner Cooke said.
