South Australia Police across the state kept a watchful eye as the community celebrated and farewelled the end of what has been a challenging year.
SA Police thanks the public for helping make New Year's Eve 2021 a generally peaceful event and maintaining a high level of cooperation with police throughout the evening.
Some of the traditional events were not able to return this year however the warm weather drew big crowds around the coastal areas and the Adelaide Oval saw a reduced crowd of 9000 at the Big Bash League match where the Adelaide Strikers took on the Sydney Thunder.
Before the New Year's celebrations commenced, police advised they would not tolerate anti-social and disorderly behaviour and a highly visible police presence would be utilised in the traditionally popular areas.
Assistant Commissioner, State Operations Service, Ian Parrott said,
"Due to the ongoing COVID environment, like in 2021, we knew New Year's Eve would again look different to previous years. However it was clear that many people would be keen to get out and connect with loved ones and friends, or simply close the chapter of what has been another challenging year"
"Most people were keen to enjoy the night and to do the right thing, with only a few people making poor choices"
"I'm conscious of the personal sacrifice that our people make to ensure our community is safe at this time of year and I am grateful to those police officers who worked across the state"
Overall there were 57 arrests made across the state and 41 people reported for mainly traffic offences.
A total of 113 expiation notices were issued for offences including possession of drugs, possessing or consuming alcohol in a dry zone and behavioural offences.
This is a increase from last year which saw 49 arrests, 6 people reported and 41 expiation notices issued for behavioural offences.
Over 1349 drug and alcohol tests were conducted with 44 positive results to alcohol and 10 positive drug tests. These numbers are in comparison to last years which saw 43 people caught drink driving and 25 people testing positive to drugs.
The highest recorded drink driving results over the operation were a 36-year-old Gawler West man who recorded a result of 0.219 and a Clare man who recorded a result of 0.203 both were four times over the legal limit.
SAPOL continue to urge people to be responsible on the roads given that 99 lives were lost on SA roads in 2021.
Police are currently searching waters following two separate incidents, at 9.15pm last night 31 December, at Swan Reach a girl was seen to fall from a houseboat into the River Murray and did not resurface.
Police, PolAir, SES and members of the public assisted in the search but the girl has not yet been located.
In the second incident at 2 am at Lake Bonney today two men were seen taking a hire pedal boat on to the water. The boat has been located together with a esky believed to belong to the men however the men are currently unaccounted for.
Searches have recommenced this morning via air and water with the assistance of SES.
