Extra police have been on patrol in Civic and Braddon. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.
A police crackdown on antisocial behaviour in Civic has already seen the arrest of 25 people, including over a dozen in one night, since it began earlier this month.
ACT Policing launched the high-visibility City Safe Campaign, bringing an extra 40 police officers to Civic and Braddon for a month, on 8 July 2024 after local businesses raised concerns about feeling safe in the city.
ACT Policing Chief Police Officer Scott Lee said police responded every day to assaults, disturbances, drug incidents, property damage, robbery, sexual assault, theft and burglary in the city and Braddon.
“There’s been quite a significant increase there that we’re responding to, so that’s what’s really driven this operation and the allocation of some additional resources across ACT Policing,” he said when launching the campaign.
A police spokesperson said over the past two weeks officers had arrested 25 people for various offences including theft, breach of bail, possessing stolen property, breaching good behaviour orders and assault.
This included an incident on 14 July, in which a man had been walking along Bible Lane in the direction of City Walk when a group of men assaulted him.
Two men, aged 18 and 19, have been arrested and are scheduled to face court in the future.
The police spokesperson said a further six people were lodged into protective custody at the ACT Watch House or transported to the Sobering Up Shelter to ensure their safety due to their level of intoxication.
Also, seven people were issued with move on directions for drinking in public.
Officer in Charge of City Police Station, Acting Superintendent Dave Craft said the first two weeks of the operation had seen more foot patrols in the central business district and around city bars and nightclubs.
“We want people to feel safe while moving through the city and we do that by looking out for people who may be vulnerable and need a little bit of help, or by intervening in situations where people are acting aggressively,” he said.
“Increased police visibility around those areas seven days a week will hopefully make people reconsider their antisocial or violent behaviour, and it ensures we’re nearby to quickly provide assistance if required.”
Loading ...
