Police Report Incident Free Mask Parade

Police are calling last night's Mask Parade a success.

Police are reporting a relatively incident free and good natured evening and in marked contrast to last year.

There were only 14 arrests during the evening. Most of those arrests for people wanted on warrant, breach of the liquor ban and breach of the peace. Two people that were arrested were released with a formal warning under the pre-charge warning scheme.

"We made a deliberate decision to increase the number of officers, adopt of high profile right from the outset and engage with the crowds" said Inspector Brian McGurk.

The policing operation commenced in the early afternoon. Police used the Mask Parade and the rugby match at Trafalgar Park to test processes and systems in preparation for New Years Eve policing and next year's Rugby World Cup matches in Nelson.

"Our focus was reducing alcohol related harm and preventing any violent or disorderly behaviour" said Inspector McGurk.

Police conducted alcohol checkpoints. Police stopped 1738 vehicles and only one driver was detected driving over the legal limit.

Twenty-eight extra officers were brought in for the policing operation.