Firework-related incidents over long weekend

ACT Policing is investigating a number of recent property damage incidents suspected to be related to the misuse of fireworks.

The total number of fireworks-related incidents reported to ACT Policing from midnight, June 6 to 4am yesterday (June 8) was 63. The majority of calls taken by ACT Policing Operations were noise-related or as a result of fireworks being let off outside the regulatory period.

The full number of fireworks-related property damage incidents is still to be finalised however, police believe fireworks-related attendances will be less than last year.

The total number of fireworks-related calls taken by ACT Policing Operations over the period was 205, compared with 195 last year.

An ACT WorkCover officer was stationed within ACT Policing Operations at Belconnen over the regulatory period to assist police in taking reports.

During the Queens Birthday long weekend period last year (midnight, June 7 – midnight June 9) police received 86 reports of fireworks-related incidents.

Some of the more serious damage reported over the long weekend suspected to be fireworks-related include:

• In Hughes on Saturday evening around 9.45pm, damage was sustained to a Ford Transit van belonging to a charity organisation;
• In Kambah around 10.30pm on Saturday evening, damage was sustained to a white Mazda sedan parked on a nature strip;
• At Pine Island in Tuggeranong around 3.40pm, a report provided to police of an incident where a public toilet was damaged;
• Five reports of damaged mailboxes and mail over the weekend at Mitchell, Aranda, Oxley, Mackellar shops and Hawker shops.

Police would urge anyone who witnessed any property damage incidents, has any information about suspicious activity relating to possible fireworks incidents, including damage to property, over the weekend, to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or report it via the website at www.crimestoppers.act.com.au.