More than a dozen people saw in the new year from behind bars at the ACT watch house, following a night of alcohol-fuelled violence and dangerous driving incidents across the capital.
A 'Disappointing' Spate of Assaults and Violence
ACT Policing described the majority of alleged offences from the evening as "disappointingly" involving assaults, assaults causing bodily harm, and family violence incidents, alongside alcohol and substance-related crimes. Detective Inspector Dave Craft told the ABC it was a "busy night" for officers, with most arrests concentrated in and around the city centre.
One of the more serious incidents involved a man who allegedly assaulted two police officers who were responding to reports of a disturbance. The man is accused of swinging punches, striking the officers in the arm and head.
Despite these incidents, Detective Inspector Craft noted the arrests were outliers among the estimated 15,000 to 20,000 revellers who attended the official New Year's Eve celebrations at Lake Burley Griffin on Thursday, December 31, 2025.
Extreme Speeding Incident on Monaro Highway
In a separate and alarming event, ACT road policing officers intercepted a young driver in Fyshwick in the early hours of New Year's Day. The driver, a 19-year-old man holding an ACT provisional licence, was caught travelling at a staggering 198 kilometres per hour in a 90km/h zone on the Monaro Highway just after 12:20 am.
His silver Honda Legend sedan was seized and towed. When questioned by police about his extreme speed, the driver reportedly stated he was just "being silly." Screening tests confirmed he was not impaired by drugs or alcohol at the time.
The 19-year-old, who had his teenage brother in the car as a passenger, was not arrested at the scene but immediately lost his licence for 180 days. Police are considering further action against him.
Police Pleased with Overall Behaviour Despite Incidents
Detective Inspector Craft said the number of arrests was "pretty consistent" with previous years, noting that large crowds in the inner-city invariably lead to some alcohol-fuelled violence and street-level offending. He emphasised that police would maintain their focus on impaired and dangerous driving over the holiday period.
The detective inspector also reminded Canberrans that double demerit points are in force until 11:59 pm on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
"Overall, ACT Policing were generally pleased with the behavior of Canberrans overnight," Detective Inspector Craft concluded, acknowledging that the vast majority of celebrants welcomed 2026 peacefully.
