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Enjoy your Australia Day celebrations but take care out there: this is the message from police for January 26.
Richmond Police District Inspector Bill McKenna said it’s going to be a bit different to the usual celebrations as large gatherings are limited across the state due to the continuing pandemic.
“We will have a large police presence including at Lennox Head, Ballina and Evans Head and will be ready to be mobile across the region as needed,” Insp McKenna said.
“As well as enforcing alcohol-free zones, we will be doing lots of beach, park and reserves patrols as well as conducting licensed premises checks.”
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Subscriber only Be vigilant, no kissing strangers at midnight, going to parties on the beach or dancing in the street when the clock strikes 12. Seeing in 2021 will be, like most things this year, quite different than before thanks to the pandemic. And yet it seems some people still don t understand the meaning of social distancing and are attending mass parties across the Northern Rivers, much to the frustration of police, residents and medicos. Leading Lismore paediatrician Dr Chris Ingall said nothing much will change when we wake up on New Year s Day. Assume the person next to you has COVID-19 and behave accordingly, he said.
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Subscriber only Christmas is a time to be with your loved ones but for too many people it s also a time of intense fear and often, physical pain. Richmond Police District Superintendent Scott Tanner, said officers had dealt with 53 domestic violence assaults over the past five days. Supt Tanner said anyone charged with domestic violence offences can expect to feel the full force of the law. Domestic violence includes verbal and physical abuse to assault and breaching Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs), he said. We have a two-pronged attack for these crimes, firstly we support the victims, encourage them to come forward and remind them they can make statements by video so as not have to repeat the statements again such as in court.
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WHILE you are unwrapping your presents today and preparing to have a festive meal, spare a thought for the police recalled from duty to help keep our region free of COVID-19.
Richmond Police District Superintendent Scott Tanner said four extra officers have been recalled from their Christmas holidays to assist NSW Health officials with their strict protocols involved in processing the influx of thousands of visitors flying into Ballina each day.
“At Ballina Byron Gateway Airport these four officers will be making sure that everyone arriving by air is adhering to the public health orders,” he said.