Violence-free New Year celebrations for Nelson

Nelson Bays Area Commander Inspector Steve Greally got the New Year’s Eve he had asked for, with no reported assaults and just a handful of arrests.

“Most people came to town with the right attitude and celebrated the new year in great spirit. I believe that the way in which Nelson Police has policed Bridge Street over the last year may have contributed to the improved behaviour of patrons,” he said

Inspector Greally said patrons generally displayed reduced levels of intoxication throughout the night.

“I want to acknowledge the efforts of the licensees across the Nelson Bays area. There was greater vigilance and professionalism tonight. This is a great improvement on previous years.”

Across Nelson Bays there were no arrests for family violence, no reported victims and just a small amount of low level disorder.

Nelson Bays Police Prevention Strategy worked well and managed to prevent victimisation through high visibility policing and zero tolerance on alcohol related offending.

About 800 people celebrated the new year at the Maitai camp. Behaviour was generally very good. There were no reported issues at any of the region’s beaches.

In Motueka there were no significant events and only four arrests for low level alcohol related offences. There were no incidents at Kaiteriteri or at the rock concert at Riwaka.

Some disorder in Stoke at about midnight involving a group of males but there were no arrests or injuries.

A problem with a party on Williams Street… nil major problems though.

In total 28 people were arrested:
Breach of Liquor Ban = 10
Disorder = 12
Intoxicated = 5
Drugs = 1

On the roads Police conducted four checkpoints and stopped 2080 vehicles.

Four people were caught driving with excess breath alcohol, 33 tickets were written for other matters and one vehicle was impounded.

Inspector Greally said he was very pleased with the way Police had managed the evening.

“The work we have done over the year in changing people’s attitudes to what is acceptable behavior was evident. To get through such a significant event without a single victim is an outstanding effort and I can’t thank my team enough for the effort they put in.

He said the high visibility policing would continue through the holiday period.

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