Cells bulging at Nelson Police Station

After a busy weekend, which began with the termination of Operation Explorer on Friday and included a Super 15 rugby game, poker run and fight night, a total of 76 people have been arrested in Nelson after a concerted effort by Police to maintain public safety.

That number includes the thirty seven people who have been charged in relation to Operation Explorer, including all 11 members of the Red Devils.

Nelson Bays Area Commander Inspector Brian McGurk said Team Policing units from Wellington, who have been supporting Nelson staff during the particularly busy period, did an excellent job of maintaining public safety in the city on Saturday night and Sunday morning, arresting 25 people on Bridge St.

"The work they have done has contained the disorder at its source. We had no problems at some of the usual places such as Rutherford Street. There was essentially no violence in the city, bar one assault at Fashion Island which was among a group of associates.

"We've been saying for some time that the increase in public place violence has its genesis in Bridge Street. One premises had a significant number of shortcomings and we will be submitting a very critical report to the Liquor Licensing Agency about that establishment as a result of the weekend work.

Inspector McGurk said he was very happy with the work Team Policing had done.

"I make no apologies for the firm approach they have taken to the disorder."

Inspector McGurk said the Wellington Police reported that they had encountered people in Bridge Street who were more aggressive, more intoxicated and more offensive than those they routinely deal with in Courtenay Place in Wellington.

The majority of those arrested were bailed or received pre-charge warnings.

Today 27 people remain in custody at Nelson Police Station.