Four people arrested during high-visibility police operation for Mardi Gras
Sunday, 02 March 2025 02:08:31 AM
A high-visibility policing operation to keep the community safe during the 47th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade has concluded.
The operation involved general duties police officers, assisted by specialist police attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Police Transport Command, the Public Order and Riot Squad, Youth Command, Licensing Police and the Dog and Mounted Unit.
In total, four people were arrested:
- About 9.20pm, officers arrested a 57-year-old man on Denham Street who was allegedly attempting to manoeuvre his vehicle around Mounted Unit officers to get through a police road closure. As he was being arrested, the man allegedly threatened a news cameraman. He was taken to Surry Hills Police Station, before being taken to hospital for a pre-existing condition. On his release, the man is expected to be charged with two counts of assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm, drive motor vehicle menaces another with intent, not comply with direction given by police officer, stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm and drive with low range PCA.
- About 9.45pm, police arrested a 33-year-old man for the alleged assault of a security guard on Bourke Street. The man was taken to Surry Hills Police Station, where he was charged with common assault and hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty. He was granted bail to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 10 April 2025
- About 10.25pm, police arrested a 48-year-old man who allegedly inappropriately touched a woman and punched a man who was with her. The 48-year-old was taken to Surry Hills, where he was charged with sexually touch another person without consent, and common assault. He was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court today (Sunday 2 March 2025).
- About 10.45pm, police arrested a 22-year-old man on Crown Street, who allegedly climbed onto a police bus which was transporting police employees who had participated in the parade. The man was issued an infringement notice for travelling on a moving vehicle.
Operation Commander, Assistant Commissioner Rod Smith APM, said the overall behaviour of crowds at the Mardi Gras parade was pleasing, despite a small handful of people doing the wrong thing.
“Throughout the operation, police were focused on maintaining public safety and security to make the evening a memorable one for the right reasons,” Assistant Commissioner Rod Smith said.
“A small handful of people did the wrong thing, and they were dealt with swiftly and appropriately.
“The vast majority of the large crowds were well behaved and looked after each other.”