Despite a few incidents involving theft and other minor issues, police in the Douglas Shire did not have to deal with anything significant over the festive season.

“On the whole, people were generally well behaved and although there were a few arrests on New Year’s Eve, there was nothing significant which was extremely positive,” said Port Douglas’ Officer-in-Charge Senior Sergeant Damian Meadows.

And in Cairns, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) said, for the most part, New Year’s Eve celebrations across the district were well attended, with the majority of the community well behaved at community events.

There was also a happy ending following a number of breaks-ins at Marano’s where a number of boats were targeted and the perpetrators helped themselves to equipment, which included fishing and diving gear. 

“Thanks to good CCTV footage and social media, we not only identified the vehicle and made an arrest at Ellis Beach, we were also able to retrieve the stolen property,” said Senior Sergeant Meadows, who added one suspect is still missing.

But there is concern among boat owners who have reported on Facebook fishing gear, such as casting nets, have recently been stolen and the plea is for anyone who hear of people trying to sell cheap cast nets or fishing rods and reels must immediately notify the police.

According to boat owners, there has been a lot of theft around the waterfront lately and people are urged to be vigilant and securely lock up their gear.

One boat owner, who preferred anonymity, said casting nets worth $450, were stolen from their vessel at the yacht club.

Sgt Meadows, meanwhile, revealed that police are looking for a suspect who unsuccessfully tried to remove the laundromat coin machine on Port Douglas Road. He was disturbed while making his attempt and managed to escape the scene by driving off in his car.

“I implore people, who see something which may require police action, to contact us on 131 444,” he said.

In Cairns, the largest event in the district was the Cairns Esplanade and Foggarty Park, which saw 19 people charged with a total of 34 offences, including property, good order offences, drug and traffic offences, domestic violence and assaults.

“Four people were given move-on directions, with QPS members throughout the district responding to over 500 calls for service across the district for the New Year’s Eve period.

“A total of 1,300 roadside breath tests were conducted throughout the district with a total of 19 positive readings detected on January 1, before 8am,” said Superintendent Rhys Newton.