A man was assaulted in Apex Park in the early hours of Sunday morning (January 6) while another man was arrested for vandalising signs.
But the most pervasive problem facing Byron Bay police is the number of people ignoring the town’s alcohol-free zones.
At about 2am on Sunday, an 18-year-old UK tourist was seen by witnesses to ‘crash tackle street signs along Jonson Street,’ according to police.
He ran off when police attempted to speak to him but was located a short time later and arrested before being taken to Byron Bay Police station.
The man was issued a $500 criminal infringement notice for offensive behaviour.
Man punched
At about 3am the same day a 24-year-old Byron Bay man was drinking in Apex Park Byron Bay with a group of friends when he was assaulted by an unknown male.
The assault appears to have been unprovoked and the offender has only been described as a male with long brown hair, about 170 – 180 cm tall, medium build, with a plaster cast on one of his arms.
During the assault the victim’s phone was taken but it was later located and returned. The victim sustained a bleeding nose.
Tourists not observing alcohol free zones
Between 7.55pm and 8.55pm on Saturday (January 5) police conducted a high visibility foot patrol at Apex Park, Byron Bay, where approximately 300 people had gathered, including kids playing at the playground and a number of buskers performing.
Despite some Council signs Alcohol Free Zone signage at the park, police say they had to speak to 70 people in relation to consuming and possessing alcohol in the area.
All were interstate or international visitors.
They were directed to dispose of open alcohol and take closed bottles and eskies from the park. Police say all complied with police direction without any issues and informal warnings were given.
Police are reminding locals and visitors to the Byron Bay area that alcohol is prohibited in parks and beach front locations.
Alcohol-free zones apply to streets, footpaths and public roads, while alcohol prohibited areas apply to parks and open spaces. In both alcohol-free zones and alcohol prohibited areas, alcohol consumption is prohibited 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Police have the power to confiscate alcohol in these areas.
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