Police have arrested more than 150 people and issued almost 600 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) following unauthorised protest activity across NSW today.
Acting on information and intelligence, the NSW Police Force deployed more than 900 officers this morning (Tuesday 31 August 2021) to conduct high-visibility patrols of various sites expected to be targeted by unauthorised protests, including NSW Parliament House and local council chambers.
General Duties officers from across NSW were supported by the Public Order and Riot Squad, Operations Support Group, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Police Transport Command, the Dog and Mounted Unit, and other specialist units.
Police responded to 79 unauthorised protests, during which three officers received minor injuries following interactions with protestors at Lismore, Murwillumbah and Raymond Terrace.
In total, 153 people were arrested, many of whom were released after officers were able to establish their identity to issue a PIN.
Others were charged with a variety of offences including various breaches of the public health order, assault police, resist arrest, refusing to comply with police direction, and failing to move on.
A total of 573 PINS were issued, including not wear fitted masked covering in prescribed outdoor gathering ($500), not comply with noticed direction re s7/8/9 – COVID-19 ($1000), and unlawfully participate in outdoor public gathering – stay at home order ($3000).
Central Metropolitan Region:
Parliament House: 3 arrested and 5 PINs issued
Government House: 7 arrested and 6 PINs issued
Hurstville Council: 6 PINs issued
Rockdale Council: 3 arrested and 43 PINs issued
Waverley Council: 4 arrested and 14 PINs issued
Randwick: Up to 30 people dispersed on police arrival
Inner West Council-Petersham: 1 arrested and 8 PINs issued
Sutherland Shire Council: 4 arrested and 27 PINs issued
North West Metropolitan Region:
Hornsby Council: 3 arrested and 3 PINs issued
Ryde Council: 1 arrested and 5 PINs issued
Dee Why Council and Mona Vale Library: 3 arrested and 20 PINs issued
Katoomba Council: 10 PINs issued
Penrith Council and MP Office: 3 arrested and 43 PINs issued
Hawkesbury City Council: 8 PINs issued
Blacktown Council: 5 arrested and 20 PINs issued
Mosman Council: Up to 15 people dispersed on police arrival
The Hills Council: 6 arrested and 9 PINs issued
South West Metropolitan Region:
Pheasants Nest truck stop: 1 PIN issued
Fairfield City Council: 6 arrested
Cumberland Council: 1 arrested and 2 PINs issued
Bankstown Council: 1 arrested and 7 PINs issued
Camden Council: 1 arrested and 4 PINs issued
Picton Council: 1 arrested and 10 PINs issued
Campbelltown Council: 2 arrested and 2 PINs issued
Liverpool Council: 2 arrested and 4 PINs issued
Canada Bay Council: 2 arrested and 2 PINs issued
Strathfield Council: 3 arrested and 5 PINs issued
Roselands Shopping Centre: Up to 50 people dispersed on police arrival
Campsie: 1 arrested and 1 PIN issued
Northern Region:
Tweed Heads PD (Tweed Shire Council-Murwillumbah, Byron Bay Shire Council-Mullumbimby, MP Office-Tweed Heads, Sleepy Hollow Vehicle Rest Area): 3 arrested and 25 PINs issued
Richmond PD (Lismore Council, Kyogle Council, Ballina Council, MP Office-Ballina): 11 arrested and 24 PINs issued
Coffs-Clarence PD (Coffs Harbour City Council, Clarence Valley Council-Grafton, Bellingen Shire Council, Clarence Valley Council-MacLean): 19 arrested and 19 PINs issued
Mid North Coast PD (Hastings Shire Council, Nambucca Valley Council, Kempsey Shire Council): 2 arrested and 21 PINs issued
Manning-Great Lakes PD (Mid Coast Council Chambers-Taree): 5 arrested and 20 PINs issued
Hunter Valley PD (Scone Local Council, Singleton Local Council, Cessnock Local Council): 4 arrested and 6 PINs issued
Port Stephens-Hunter PD (Maitland Local Council, Port Stephens Local Council): 5 arrested and 12 PINs issued
Newcastle City PD (City of Newcastle Council): 1 arrested and 12 PINs issued
Lake Macquarie PD (Lake Macquarie City Council): 8 arrested and 11 PINs issued
Tuggerah Lakes PD (Central Coast City Council-Wyong): 4 arrested and 8 PINs issued
Brisbane Water PD (Central Coast City Council, Gosford): 2 arrested and 10 PINs issued
Southern Region:
Wollongong Council: 2 arrested and 2 PINs issued
Goulburn Council: 1 arrested and 5 PINs issued
Southern Highlands (Moss Vale) Council: 2 arrested and 6 PINs issued
Shellharbour Council: 1 arrested and 3 PINs issued
Cooma Post Office: Six people dispersed on police arrival
Albury Council: 1 arrested and 9 PINs issued
Berrigan Council: 1 arrested and 2 PINs issued
Bega: 5 PINs issued
Moruya: 1 arrested and 10 PINs issued
Nowra: Up to 40 people dispersed on police arrival
Ulladulla: 2 arrested and 2 PINs issued
Griffith Council: Up to 15 people dispersed on police arrival
Wagga Wagga Council: 2 arrested and 4 PINs issued
Snowy Mountains Council-Tumut: About 18 people dispersed on police arrival
Western Region:
Tamworth Council: 1 arrested and 9 PINs issued
Gunnedah Council: 9 PINs issued
Mudgee Council: 3arrested and 8 PINs issued
Bathurst Council: 20 PINs issued
Armidale Council: 4 PINs issued
Inverell Council: 1 arrested and 8 PINs issued
Glen Innes Council: 2 arrested and 11 PINs issued
Uralla: 1 arrested and 8 PINs issued
Orange Council: 4 arrested and 14 PINs issued
Inquiries into the incidents are continuing and further PINs are expected to be issued, including for failing to comply with self-isolation direction ($5000).
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any public health order or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community by contacting Crime Stoppers: on 1800 333 000 or via https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
