Alcohol Blamed For Isolated Incidents

Illawarra Mercury

Monday January 28, 2008

By MICHELLE HOCTOR

MORE than 30,000 people descended on Wollongong Harbour and Lang Park for the city's Australia Day celebrations on Saturday.

Wollongong Police said the crowds were relatively well behaved, despite the numbers.

There were 37 police officers rostered on to patrol the festivities, the biggest problem arising from excessive consumption of alcohol by young people.

"This resulted in a number of fights between different groups," a police spokesperson said.

In all, 20 people were searched and 41 move-on directions and four criminal infringement notices were issued. Two people were arrested for assault.

A total of 210 random breath tests were conducted and one low-range PCA notice was issued.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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