Thousands of police have worked around-the-clock New Year’s Eve as part of the New Year’s Eve operation to ensure Victorians could bring in the new-year safely.
While there were a small number of incidents that occurred, police are overwhelmingly pleased with the behaviour of the majority of revellers.
Provisional data from the New Year’s Eve operation across the state indicate:
• Police responded to 52 assault-related incidents.
• Police received 287 reports of fireworks-related incidents, several which resulted fires but fortunately there have been no reports of serious injuries.
• Twenty-three weapons were seized as a result of OMNI operations in Melbourne, St Kilda and Geelong
*Please note due to protected industrial action some statistics are unavailable
Operation OMNI activity saw 14 people arrested and 18 weapons seized from CBD train stations.
Assistant Commissioner Chris Gilbert says “Every year we extensively prepare for New Year’s Eve, and I would like to thank every police officer who assisted in the state-wide operation to ensure Victorians could enjoy the festivities safely.”
“There were only a small number of people who did the wrong thing, but they were dealt with swiftly by police, so the atmosphere was in no way spoiled.”
Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/fireworks-celebration-pyrotechnics-1885571/
