Monday 27 November 2017

Police Praise Racegoers Good Behaviour both On and Off the Track

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Out of the more than 192,000 spectators who piled into Newcastle's CBD over the past three days, police say they only made four arrests.

Operation Boote was set up from Friday through until yesterday to ensure the safety and security of everyone including spectators and drivers throughout the event.

Newcastle City Local Area Command was assisted by other police units including the Dog Unit, Bicycle Unit, Police Transport Command and the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command. 

"Four incidents over three days with that amount of people coming into the city is still very very pleasing," said Operation Boote Commander Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell.

"Having walked the ground, going out amongst the crowd myself with senior police, the crowd was exceptional."

Among the arrests was a 33-year-old man who allegedly assaulted a security guard on the Shortland Esplanade yesterday afternoon. He was taken to Newcastle Police Station, charged and released, but as he was leaving it's alleged he didn't go quietly, becoming aggressive towards police. He was arrested again and in the end charged with two counts of assault and resisting police.

He was refused bail in the end and appears in Newcastle Local Court today.

Another incident involved a man and a woman, both aged 35, who were arrested after an alleged fight on a footpath at King Street on Saturday. They were charged with affray, granted conditional bail and face Newcastle Local Court on December 12. 

The fourth arrest was a 30-year-old man on Saturday night after he allegedly assaulted a 44-year-old woman at Foreshore Park. No charges have been laid as yet.

Officers were kept busy on roads outside the precinct


On the roads officers conducted more than 5580 random breath tests, handing out 300 infringement notices for speeding offences and charged 13 drivers with drink-driving.

One motorbike rider was arrested and charged after he was allegedly caught doing 157km/h on Main Road Shortland which is a 90km/h zone. The 29-year-old was arrested and charged after a short pursuit and faces court on Thursday after being granted conditional bail.

Assistant Commissioner Mitchell said it was a learning opportunity for everyone involved and there were areas to be improved upon including more police on the ground during concerts and better management of people leaving the precinct on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.


"Look I think to be honest it was a real learning opportunity for not only police but all agencies involved in this event. I believe that our planning has gone exceptionally well, probably better than I had first hoped."

"However I must say for people to become annoyed with having to wait at various checkpoints or whether they're waiting for public transport, I think when you're managing something with so many people, I think when you take a step back and look at the bigger picture Transport NSW did a fantastic job," said Assistant Commissioner Mitchell.