Northern Territory Police will be out in force this afternoon with the aim of discouraging anti-social or dangerous behaviour during the New Year festivities.
Commander Lance Godwin urges revellers to have a good time but to be aware there will be an increased Police presence right across the Northern Territory.
“All resources will be utilised in our mission to keep people safe, including the Mounted Police, the Dog Operations Unit, the Metropolitan Patrol Group, the Water Police Section and even the Air Wing will be joining our usual City Safe patrols. Wherever you are you can expect to be breath tested if you are driving or arrested if you engage in criminal or anti-social behaviour.
“You do not want to be spending the last hours of 2012 or the first hours of 2013 in Police custody.”
Commander Godwin said all major centres across the Northern Territory will be conducting local campaigns targeting anti-social behaviour and irresponsible road users.
“In Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and all places in between there will be random breath testing stations and a visible Police presence. We are not out there to spoil your night, we will be out there to prevent anyone that wishes to spoil it for someone else.”
Alice Springs Police will maintain a presence at take away liquor outlets, will have a mobile Police station on the council lawns and one at the casino and will be targeting road users with increased traffic patrols.
Tennant Creek Police will pay special attention to alcohol fuelled violence and public drinking with a no tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour.
Katherine and Northern Command Officers will also be targeting alcohol related issues across the top end and warn that drivers will be subjected to increased traffic patrols on all roads.
Darwin Police advise Mitchell Street will be closed to all traffic between Peel and Knuckey Streets from 6pm on 31 December 2012 to 7am on 1 January 2013. A mobile Police station will be set up in Mitchell Street for the duration of the New Year festivities.
There will also be increased patrols in Palmerston and the rural area.
Commander Godwin wishes everyone a happy, but more importantly, a safe new year on behalf of all Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Service personnel.
