NSW Police officers will use all available resources to ensure the community can ring in the New Year in a safe way.
New Year's Eve is the largest policing operation of the year and officers will be out in force to ensure the community are safe and feel safe.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to gather on the Sydney Harbour foreshore – and other events across NSW – to watch fireworks and celebrate 2026 with family and friends.
There will be more than 2500 officers in uniform and plain clothes conducting high-visibility patrols in the Sydney metropolitan area.
The increased police presence is to reassure the community that officers are there to assist, and not because of any greater, active, ongoing or imminent threat.
General duties officers from every police area command and police district across the state will be assisted by specialist officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Police Transport Command, the Public Order and Riot Squad, Operations Support Group, Licensing Police, Mounted and Dog Command, Marine Area Command, and PolAir.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said New Year's Eve should be remembered for the right reasons and that comes down to the choices people make and whether they follow police directions.
"We want people to celebrate the New Year but people must own their behaviour. Keeping each other safe is on all of us," Minister Catley said.
"Police will be out in force across NSW. They'll be highly visible in busy precincts, transport hubs and event locations - including Sydney Harbour - to keep people safe.
"While most people are celebrating, thousands of police, emergency service and transport workers will be working through the night. They deserve respect and their directions must be followed.
"Make good choices and you'll have a great night. But if your behaviour becomes aggressive, dangerous or reckless, police will respond and it will not be tolerated."
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said large numbers of officers will patrol the CBD and foreshore areas of Sydney, and other events across the state, as part of a mobile and high-visibility policing response.
"NSW Police want people to welcome in the New Year and have a safe night," Commissioner Lanyon said.
"We ask that people get to their vantage point early and find an alternative location if that section becomes full.
"Police will not tolerate dangerous, criminal or anti-social behaviour.
"Police will have a noticeable enhanced presence including unformed and specialist police."
Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray said people would have many safe travel options in the biggest transport operation for the year.
"Extra transport services will spring into action from early afternoon on New Year's Eve. With widespread road closures and parking restrictions in place from early in the day, public transport will absolutely be the key to a stress-free celebration," Mr Murray said.
"It is the second New Years' Eve that Sydney Metro has been operating in the CBD and for the first time Barangaroo station will remain open through the night to help get people in and out of the inner harbour precinct. There will be hundreds of extra Meto services, running every 4 minutes from 3pm in the afternoon through until 2am New Year's Day.
"It is essential to plan ahead, work out your options and be aware that the city and our transport hubs operate differently on New Year's Eve. Some stations will close and access to services will change progressively as roads close and vantage points reach capacity."
Members of the public are encouraged to leave their car at home and utilise public transport as there will be major road closures and special event clearways in place throughout the CBD on New Year's Eve and into New Year's Day.
Police Transport Command officers will be travelling on trains, light rail, metro, buses, and ferries, targeting criminal and anti-social behaviour, including anyone drinking alcohol.
Police will be out in force to ensure operators of recreational and commercial vessels are compliant with maritime laws, including drink driving rules and carrying safety equipment.
People are also reminded that a licence is required to purchase or use fireworks, as illegal fireworks can result in serious injury, damage to property and/or fire.
For important hints and tips for the evening, and information on alcohol-free zones, please visit the Sydney New Year's Eve website: www.sydneynewyearseve.com
For New Year's Eve travel advice, visit transportnsw.info/sydney-nye.
For real-time updates on traffic conditions, including road closures, visit livetraffic.com.
Visit https://roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au and follow the links to Maritime for details on exclusion zones and movement restriction times.
