Tasmania Police reported a relatively quiet start to the New Year, with crowds generally well-behaved and cooperative.

Police were out in strong numbers, and were kept busy at the Hobart Waterfront, Falls Festival and in major population centres throughout the night.  While there were some arrests, the number of public disturbances and antisocial behaviour was down on previous years.

Southern Region Duty Officer, Inspector Doug Rossiter said: “While we were reasonably happy with the behaviour of crowds during last night’s celebrations, it was unfortunate that there were still people who chose to be antisocial, act violently or otherwise create problems for others.”

In the period between 6:00pm and 6:00am, police across the state responded to a total 365 calls for assistance from the public, and:

• 28 people were arrested for antisocial or public order-related offences
• 18 people were arrested and charged with drink driving
• 7 people were arrested for crime or drug-related offences

9 people were arrested for antisocial or public order-related offences at the Hobart Waterfront overnight.  Police also issued a large number of liquor infringement notices to people for carrying or drinking alcohol in public places. 

A man was also charged after recording 0.083 while operating a vessel on the Derwent River overnight.

Revellers at Falls Festival were very well-behaved while ringing in the New Year, with police reporting no arrests and only 2 people ejected from the event overnight.