Police have warned they will be out in force for New Year's Eve celebrations in Civic, setting their sights on underage drinkers, anti-social behaviour, and drink driving.
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Tens of thousands of revellers are expected to descend on the city for New Year's Eve, with official celebrations planned for Garema Place and Civic Square.
Superintendent Brett Kidner is heading up ACT Policing's operation for the end of year celebration, and says police numbers will be boosted to cope with the party.
He urged Canberrans to arrange designated drivers, or other ways to get home, look after their mates, and make sure friends get home if they've had too much to drink.
"The issues are generally the same every year, people go out, they're out en-masse, they have too much to drink, and some people just get a bit silly with loutish behaviour," Superintendent Kidner said.
He said police would be aiming to curb alcohol-related violence, but said he did not think it was a "massive problem" in the ACT.
He said there were significant issues with underage drinkers last year.
"Around 3 or 4am in the morning, there was a large body of juveniles, around 14 or 15 years of age, that were hanging around... they cause us some significant issues last year," he said.
"So a reminder to parents, know where your kids are going to be.
"The last thing you need is for us to take your children into custody because they've been underage drinking or they've gotten involved in a fight or a dispute in town."
Superintendent Kidner said police had been working closely with licensed venues, and said they were very "proactive", and wanted patrons to come in, have a good night, and go home safely.
He said police numbers would be boosted, CCTV cameras would be monitored closely, and there would be a heavy presence on the roads.
Police are expecting roughly 50,000 to 60,000 people, compared with roughly 15,000 to 25,000 people on a normal weekend.
Superintendent Kidner said many of those people would leave after about 1am.
He said that 2am was generally termed "the witching hour", when most of the issues related to alcohol-related harm began to occur.
There will be road closures southbound on Northbourne Avenue between 8.50pm and 9.30pm, and also from 11.50pm to 12.30am.
Diversion will be in place on Cooyong Street, Ballumbir Street, Parkes Way, and Coranderrk Street.
