2LT Local News

Crowd behaviour at Mt Panorama on weekend praised by NSW Police assistant commissioner

Oct 13, 2017

BATHURST, Central West, NSW, Australia – The major policing operation which operated over the four days surrounding the racing at Mt Panorama last weekend was a major success. Only a tiny number of arrests were made.

The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 attracted more than 200,000 spectators over the four days from Thursday to Sunday.

Operation Dover was launched, which involved more than 300 officers from Chifley Local Area Command and across the Western Region, the Riot Squad, Support Group, Dog squad, Licensing Police, Bicycle Unit, Youth Command Police Transport Command and the Traffic and Highway Patrol.

Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie on Tuesday had nothing but praise for the 200,000 racegoers, in relation to crowd behaviour. He also paid tribute to Supercars Australia and the Bathurst Regional Council for their co-operation.

Only four people were arrested. Road safety was another focus of the operation. 5,800 random breath tests were carried out, however only 3 drivers tested positive and were charged with drink-driving. There were 600 Traffic Infringement Notices issued however, over half of which were for speeding.