Territory Day celebrations kept police, fire and emergency services busy responding to firework related incidents across the Southern and Barkly region.
Around 7pm NT Police officers were conducting patrols of the Territory Day celebrations at Anzac Oval when they observed a 15-year-old female setting off fireworks inside the crowded venue.
The youth was arrested with officers seizing 41 fireworks and a quantity of cannabis. She was issued with a $1610 firework fine.
Across Alice Springs, police responded to another six reports of youth lighting and throwing fireworks at each other, cars and houses, while volunteer firies and local fire crews attended 23 grass fire incidents.
Territory Day celebrations were relatively low-key in Tennant Creek with three firework related incidents and no major incidents reported across the Barkly region.Acting Superintendent Peter Dash said police were relatively happy with Territory Day celebrations as there were no major incidents overnight.
"Police worked closely with Territory Day event organisers to ensure the safety of all patrons and staff, and our officers worked swiftly in dealing with those who put others at risk," said A/Supt Dash
Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Services District Officer Southern Command, Jim Bateman said this Territory Day proved better than previous years.
"We were certainly prepared for a busy night with a number of volunteers from Bushfires NT and NTFRS as well as local fire crews, on duty," said District Officer Bateman
"Throughout the 6pm till 11pm period crews attended 25 call outs to grass fires compared to 35 last year, which we can thank both the public safety education campaign, and the lower than average fuel loads around the area."
People have until 12pm today (Tuesday July 2, 2019) to hand in unused fireworks to NT Worksafe locations in either Darwin, Katherine or the Greenwell Building in Alice Springs. For further information contact NT Worksafe on 1800 019 115.
NT Police would like to remind the public that people who ignite a firework or are found to be in possession of one after 12pm today (Tuesday July 2) are liable to receive a $1570 firework fine.
