POLICE have warned there will be a zero tolerance approach to anti-social and drunken behaviour at this weekend’s NRL football match.
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Extra officers have been deployed to the city for the weekend, and the game, which is expected to attract close to 10,000 people.
Oxley police, together with licensing as well as highway officers from Sydney, will police the game on Saturday night.
Chief Inspector and officer-in-charge of Tamworth Jeff Budd told The Leader the weekend’s police presence had been months in the planning.
We will have covert and uniformed officers, who will on patrol throughout the ground, and in the crowd.
- Oxley Chief Inspector Jeff Budd
“We will have covert and uniformed officers, who will on patrol throughout the ground, and in the crowd,” he said on Thursday.
“Wests’ has a large security contingent employed for the event.
“Our officers will work in with that contingent to ensure the safety of all spectators at the game.”
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As part of the entry restrictions, crowds will be prohibited from taking in food and drinks.
“Security will be on the gates and attendees will be stopped, bags will be searched for contraband like alcohol,” Chief Inspector Budd said.
“So we would warn those people to not even try to smuggle hip flasks or anything like that in because it will be confiscated at the gate.”
Only mid-strength alcohol will be served in the grounds. He said the police operation won’t stand for anti-social behaviour or aggressive or offensive language.
“Our focus is on anti-social behaviour both at the ground and after the game,” Chief Inspector Budd said.
Anyone that doesn’t comply will be marched out of the ground immediately.
- Chief Inspector Jeff Budd
“Anyone that doesn’t comply will be marched out of the ground immediately.
“If people turn up intoxicated, they won’t be allowed in.
“We expect that people will turn up for the football, not the alcohol, and we just want everyone to enjoy it, responsibly.”
Chief Inspector Budd said the planning for the massive event had largely been based on on the 2016 NRL City versus Country match.
“We are not expecting any major issues because of our planning, and regional NSW, especially Tamworth, is keen to see a great sporting spectacle like this game, and we want to ensure that all fans and crowd-goers, no matter if they are families, mums and dads, teenagers, retirees or whoever, we want to ensure they enjoy the event in a safe manner,” he said.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
