155 arrests at Whangamata

Police on the Coromandel Peninsula reported a busy New Year's Eve celebrations at the usual Holiday destinations and hotspots.

The Area Commander of the Eastern Waikato, Inspector Glenn Dunbier said that Police staff around the Peninsula were kept busy throughout the night with the usual disorder and liquor ban offences, and a number of assaults and fights.

Around 155 people were arrested at Whangamata on New Years Eve, which is the centre of the Beach Policing Operation for the Coromandel Peninsula. The majority of these arrests were for alcohol fuelled offences such as breach of the liquor ban and disorder.

Whitianga had a huge influx of people during the afternoon of New Years Eve for the Coromandel Gold concert, causing heavy road congestion all along the Eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula. 38 people were arrested at Whitianga for general disorder and Liquor ban offences, whilst a similar number were also arrested at Waihi Beach on the southern end of the Coromandel Peninsula.

Police were concerned at the level of intoxication of those arrested, and some of the behaviour exhibited at townships around the Coromandel Peninsula. Whitianga saw a spree of wilful damage along the main street, and Police Staff at all venues reported a number of very drunk and aggressive people.

"Considering the large number of people we have on the Peninsula over the New Years period, the total of arrests is a small percentage and shows that the overwhelming majority of people coming to the area stay safe and out of trouble. However, those we are arresting seem to be more extreme in terms of behaviour and intoxication levels" said Mr Dunbier.

"We have been rigorously policing the liquor ban for a number of years now, and the number of arrests has continued to drop away. As a result families are now coming back to places like Whangamata, and a lot of our communities comment on the atmosphere returning to one that is more family-friendly."