Mardi Gras 2010
Mardi Gras 2010 – This year’s event attracted a large number of spectators with revellers converging into Oxford Street, Sydney, for this year’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.
Spectators lined the footpaths along the parade route, celebrating the colour and spectacle of the parade with lots of families coming into the event as well as visitors from interstate and overseas.
Police officers patrolled the event precinct, on public transport and on the roads, ensuring that the event was safe and secure for both participants and spectators.
“Police, event organisers and key stakeholders, have spent months planning for this year’s parade and I believe that environmental changes to the parade this year contributed to the reduction in incidents,” said Assistant Commissioner Smith.
“Last year we saw far too many young people using Mardi Gras as an excuse to come into the city, get drunk and commit acts of violence or stupidity.
“It was evident again this year that a small minority of young people continued this behaviour, nonetheless, considering the increase in crowd numbers I am pleased that the majority of people came along and enjoyed the parade in the spirit of Mardi Gras,” he said.
Police, throughout the evening, responded to 140 incidents with 35 people arrested. Those arrested were charged with a variety of offences including Stealing, Assault Police, Offensive Behaviour and Possess Drugs.
The Hyde Park precinct which recorded 72 incidents in 2009, recorded fewer incidents this year, due to modifications to the start area that proved successful in moving public order and crowd issues.
Significant incidents that occurred during the evening include the serious assault of a 44-year-old man from Letheridge Park, two separate incidents of young males suffering stab wounds, and a brawl which resulted in a police officer suffering minor injuries after hitting his head on the ground.
“Alcohol and drugs, anti-social behaviour and violence, were evident in tonight’s police operation, and will once again be the focus of planning for next year’s event,” said Assistant Commissioner Smith.
Mardi Gras 2010
Tags: Acts Of Violence, Alcohol And Drugs, Assault Police, Assistant Commissioner, Commissioner Smith, Crowd Numbers, Event Organisers, Footpaths, Hyde Park, Lesbian Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras Parade, Minor Injuries, Offensive Behaviour, Oxford Street Sydney, Parade Route, Police Event, Revellers, Small Minority, Social Behaviour, Stab Wounds
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