Residents and visitors to the Gold Coast were keen to enjoy eased restrictions and welcome in the new year with revellers celebrating across the state.
Whilst New Year’s Eve celebrations were more subdued than those seen pre-Covid-19, Gold Coast police were still kept busy in many locations as revellers said goodbye to 2021.
Acting Chief Superindents Rhys Wildman congratulated the Gold Coast community on their optimism moving forward during the current pandemic.
“2021 has been a challenging year, but overnight both locals and tourists have shown generally positive behaviour, taking time to enjoy the 2022 festivities,” he said.
Police were pleased with crowd behaviour as locals enjoyed pubs, clubs, dined out in restaurants, and gathered for parties and private functions, with very few policing incidents reported.
Most policing incidents were minor in nature and related to anti-social behaviour and alcohol related incidents.
Nine people were arrested on charges including assault, public nuisance and drug possession. Police conducted almost 60 Random Breath Tests across the District with six drink drivers removed from local roads.
Officers visited 45 licensed premises with no breaches of the CHO public health direction detected.
Police are investigating an incident Surfers Paradise North Light Rail Station around 9.25pm where two girls anged 14 and 15 were approached by a group of teenagers who demanded property before assaulting them
The group then fled with items belonging to the girls.
They sustained minor injuries. Anyone with further information regarding the incident is urged to come forward.
