Police praise actions of New Year revellers

Annual festivities had police on the lookout for a range of traffic offences and antisocial behaviour over the New Year period.

Bridgetown officer-in-charge Sgt Phil Nation praised the actions of the Bridgetown community for their “fantastic efforts” particularly for good behaviour at hotels and pubs.

“We pulled over one driver in excess of 0.08 in Greenbushes which resulted in instant disqualification,” he said.

“We would still like to remind people that double demerits still apply and we will be on the lookout for people speeding and drink driving.”

Sgt Nation said this year Bridgetown police would continue targeting speeding, antisocial behaviour and burglaries.

“A lot of the crime that takes place in the area is external, people targeting areas in the South West that are deemed softer targets,” he said.

“Being more security conscious, vigilant and resilient will help deter criminals – things like locking doors, updating security systems and setting alarms.”

The annual festivities at Peaceful Bay, near Walpole, had more than 2000 people descend on the beachside destination and behaviour was “extremely pleasing” according to Walpole officer-in- charge Sgt David Wall.

“Over Saturday and Sunday we stopped nearly 500 people for random breath testing and no one was over the legal limit,” he said.

“One concern we did have was the number of juveniles in possession of alcohol which seems to be condoned by parents.

“If parents allow their underage children to drink at home there is not much we can do but when they are out drinking in a public place that is an issue, particularly when it is being supplied to other juveniles.”

Mr Wall said no traffic incidents or assaults were reported.

“Thanks to the inter-agency cooperation between the WA Police, Department of Fisheries and the shire of Denmark we had a relativity safe New Year,” he said.