Menu
← | December 6, 2018 | by Hans Lovejoy

Schoolies went well overall, say police

Detective Inspector Matt Kehoe outside the Brunswick police station. Photo Aslan Shand.

Local police say they were pleased overall with the behaviour of those who attended Schoolies celebrations in Byron Bay over the past few weeks. 

Detective Inspector Matt Kehoe told Echonetdaily that police held Operation Kimberley 2018 from Friday November 16 to Monday December 3 and utilised staff from the Tweed/Byron and Richmond PDs, Public Order & Riot Squad (PORS), Operational Support Group (OSG), Licensing Police, Traffic & Highway Patrol and the Mounties. 

He said, ‘A total of 243 incidents were recorded over the 18 day operation.’

‘Although no major incidents were reported, Police did commence 32 legal processes numerous offences including drug possession, possession of prohibited weapon/article, assault police, malicious damage, PCA and licensing offences. The general behaviour of those attending Schoolies festivities was one of respect and consideration. All the young persons I spoke with during the operation showed great maturity and decency. 

Police vehicle damaged

Detective Inspector Kehoe added that a disappointing point of the operation was serious damage to a Byron Bay Police vehicle ‘by some young Byron Bay kids’.

‘The damage to the vehicle is almost $6,000 and will leave the community without a Police vehicles for several days while the damage is repaired. A numbers of young persons have identified in occasioning this damage with matters referred to Byron Bay Local Court and Youth Conference. A large number of vehicle in the Byron Bay area were also damaged on Sunday 02/12/18 with enquires continuing on both matters.   

‘The support provided by the Schoolies Response Unit, YWAC and the Fred Frogs was outstanding.’ 

Tags:

← Back to previous page

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 

Become a supporter of The Echo

A note from the editorial team

Some of The Echo’s editorial team: journalists Paul Bibby and Aslan Shand, editor Hans Lovejoy, photographer Jeff Dawson and Mandy Nolan

“The Echo has never underestimated the intelligence and passion of its readers. In a world of corporate banality and predictability, The Echo has worked hard for more than 30 years to help keep Byron and the north coast unique with quality local journalism and creative ideas. We think this area needs more voices, reasoned analysis and ideas than just those provided by News Corp, lifestyle mags, Facebook groups and corporate newsletters.

The Echo is one hundred per cent locally owned and one hundred per cent independent. As you have probably gathered from what is happening in the media industry, it is not cheap to produce a weekly newspaper and a daily online news service of any quality.

We have always relied entirely on advertising to fund our operations, but often loyal readers who value our local, independent journalism have asked how they could help ensure our survival.

Any support you can provide to The Echo will make an enormous difference. You can make a one-off contribution or a monthly one. With your help, we can continue to support a better informed local community and a healthier democracy for another 30 years.”

Echonetdaily is made possible by the support of all of our advertisers and is brought to you by this week's sponsor Brunswick Picture House.