Shark attack prevention 'impossible'

Augusta/Margaret River Shire chief executive Gary Evershed speaking in Gracetown today. Source: News Corp Australia

THE fatal attack on surfer Chris Boyd has again put the issue of shark barriers and detection measures to the forefront of the public consciousness.

Augusta-Margaret River shire president Gary Evershed questioned the effectiveness that such efforts would have.

"There are 100 surfing breaks along this coast, it's very difficult to put effective measures in place that will do any good," he said.

He did not think that this latest fatal attack, the third in a decade, would damage the region as a tourist destination.

"Margaret River has a lot to offer, people will still want to come here and so will surfers because of the beautiful waves," he said.

Mr Evershed said they were doing what they could to provide support for Mr Boyd's family.

"Shock waves go through the community when something like this happens," he said.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, they have lost a father and a son, and for the surfing community, who lost a mate.

"We'd like them to grieve in peace."

A catch and kill order remains in place for the shark with authorities scouring the waters.

Beaches in the region will remain closed until at least tonight, when the situation will be reassessed by the Department of Fisheries and local government officials.

Premier Colin Barnett said today that providing protection to surfers was "impossible".

"Surfing in relatively isolated spots, diving on reefs makes people vulnerable to attack," Mr Barnett said.

"That is a sad reality we've seen."

However, he did not rule out establishing receiver systems in the South-West which are used across Perth metropolitan beaches to alert authorities when tagged sharks swam close to shore.

As of last month, 326 sharks had been tagged off WA including about 140 great whites.

Tiger sharks and bronze whalers were also some of the species fitted with electronic devices mapping their movements.

The premier also said he would discuss policies with Minister for Fisheries Troy Buswell, about the State Government's reaction to shark attacks, including baiting and shoot to kill orders.

"My view is that the protection of human life comes first," he said.

Truck driver escapes rollover

A truck rolled over on the corner of Anketell Rd and Kwinana Fwy, spilling its load over the road. Source: News Corp Australia

A TRUCK driver has escaped serious injury after the semi-trailer he was driving flipped onto its side on Kwinana Fwy overnight.

The double trailer jack-knifed while turning onto the on-ramp of the Kwinana Fwy off Anketell Road at about 8.30pm.

The truck was carrying 23 tonnes of cement dust when the front trailer and driver's cabin flipped.

The driver suffered a small cut above his right eye which did not need treatment.

The overturned trailer had to be cut free from the rear trailer and was shifted back onto its wheels by a heavy recovery vehicle.

Police said speed could have been a factor in the crash as there was a 30m skidmark on the road.

The accident blocked the on-ramp for several hours.

Main Roads will be assessing the impact of the spilled cement dust on Monday.

Police smash motorbike, car theft ring

Police have smashed an organised crime network that allegedly stole $500,000 worth of high-performance motorcycles and cars. Picture: file image Source: News Corp Australia

POLICE have smashed an organised crime network that allegedly stole $500,000 worth of high-performance motorcycles and cars from Perth CBD over several months.

Detectives from the Vehicle Crime Unit arrested 10 people after a six-month investigation, codenamed Operation Beaver.

Police say the group targeted high-performance vehicles, which had been ordered by "criminal associates.''

"A lot of times they were going into unit complexes, getting into secure car parks, breaking the locks and putting (the motorbikes) on the back of a ute or wheeling them out,'' Detective Sen Sgt Jason Beesley said.

"They were an organised group and they were selling off the bikes to criminal associates and other associates.''

It's understood the group stole between 30 and 40 motorbikes and many of those were rebirthed.

Police recovered about $200,000 worth of high-performance vehicles and parts during search warrants.

Several bikes were also recovered from a Malaga panel beating business.

The owner of the company has been charged.

More than 50 charges were laid against the group, including burglary, stealing motor vehicles, receiving stolen goods and drug offences.

'Straight away I knew it was a shark attack'

David Pickering, pictured last year after he suffered non-life threatening injures from a shark attack near Coral Bay. Source: Supplied

WHEN shark attack survivor David Pickering heard sirens yesterday morning he immediately knew the worst had happened again.

The 28-year-old, who was bitten by a shark in Coral Bay in 2012, was staying in Gracetown with his sister for the Margaret River Gourmet Escape.

"I heard the ambos and a chopper and I thought, 'Shark'," the real estate agent said.

"Straight away I knew it was a shark attack. I thought, 'It's on'. I just knew. It seems to follow me everywhere I go.

"It's terrible. It's a real tragedy. I know what he's been through and you just can't imagine it."

A 3m tiger shark mauled Mr Pickering's right arm while he was leading a diving tour in January 2012.

Mr Pickering, who has a shark attack survivor tattoo on his arm, formed a Bite Club for other survivors.

He is against shark culling but agrees with the authorities killing the shark responsible for the fatal attack.

"We're in their turf, but at the same time the whale numbers and the shark numbers are really rebounding. There is a lot of them out there," he said.

Matt Holmes, the man who pulled the body of shark attack victim Ben Linden out of the water last year, said yesterday's death brought back horrific memories.

Mr Linden, 24, was taken by a 4m great white while surfing near Wedge Island, 160km north of Perth, in July 2012.

Mr Holmes witnessed the attack from his jet ski and tried to pull Mr Linden's remains out of the water.

"I just heard about it and my heart is bloody racing. I instantly had a flashback of what I saw," Mr Holmes said.

The 23-year-old, previously a keen diver and surfer, has given up water sports and believes more needs to be done to make WA beaches safer.

"They are talking about lots of options and spending money on research, but they are not actually putting anything in place that's actually working. I'm surprised there hasn't been more attacks than what there has been.

"I don't think they should go and kill every shark out there, but what do they have in place? By the time they got to the scene at Lefthanders it would have been a couple of hours after the attack."

Mr Holmes, who now works at the West Angelas mine in the Pilbara, said many of his friends had stopped surfing since his experience.

"Everyone is too scared to go out - especially at Lefthanders in Gracetown. That is one of the most eerie places you will ever surf and I surfed there a lot," he said.

The news we all fear

Emergency services at the scene of the fatal attack yesterday. Picture: supplied Source: News Corp Australia

"No, no, no, no, no, oh God, oh God."

It was a cry that shattered every heart in the car park at the popular surf spot Lefthanders.

It was the moment the partner of our latest shark attack victim was told the horrible news: your boyfriend didn't make it.

Police and council rangers tried to comfort the woman, but she burst through their ranks and started running.

Half a dozen steps later, she stopped. There was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide from the news that every single West Australian hopes they will never hear: that a loved one has been fatally mauled by a shark.

And the scene was all the more unbelievable because of the setting. It was the ultimate Saturday morning at Gracetown, with barely a cloud in the sky and perfect one-metre waves airbrushed by a light offshore wind peeling across the submerged reefs.

The nearby surf spots known as "Umbies" - where the attack happened - is one of the most popular breaks in the area. Every local surfer worth his salt has had countless sessions in the waves there.

Yesterday, the turquoise water glimmered magically, so clear and pristine and inviting.

But by 11am, there was no sign of the usual hordes of stoked surfers trekking down the beach with surfboards tucked under their arms, their faces plastered with sunscreen.

Instead, "beach closed" signs kept the sand empty. And in the carpark it was a somber scene, where police cars outnumbered surf wagons and locals could only shake their heads in dismay, uttering to each other: "Not another one?"

Wood tells teens to 'think again' when drinking

Dr Fiona Wood and Mental Health Minister Helen Morton launch a new state government alcohol campaign to warn parents on child alcohol drinking. Picture: Matthew Poon Source: News Limited

FORMER Australian of the Year and Perth burns surgeon Dr Fiona Wood has thrown her weight behind a new alcohol campaign aimed at educating young people on the risks associated with alcohol.

The $300,000 campaign was launched by Mental Health Minister Helen Morton this morning outside the Royal Perth Hospital emergency department.

Dr Wood said she immediately agreed to help promote the campaign as she saw the devastating effects of poor choices made when drinking alcohol every day.

"When I was asked to join and put my shoulder to the wheel for this (campaign) I said I see this, I see young lives changed so often," she said.

"I think if only. If only someone has thought, 'actually do we need to do this?' If only someone had thought as parents let's ring each other and stand as a united front. If only someone has thought to stand back from that barbecue. To stand back from that aerosol can.

Desperation as 10,000 feared dead

TORMENTED survivors of a typhoon that may have killed more than 10,000 have been left to rummage for food through debris scattered with corpses.

Joanne Lees almost destroyed case

THE lawyer who prosecuted one of Australia's most notorious killers Bradley John Murdoch reveals the victim's girlfriend almost ruined their case.

"Then those lives that I see changed in an instant would be happy lives without scarring, that would have the opportunity to reach their potential."

The Australian School Students Alcohol and Drug Survey 2011 shows the number of WA students drinking at dangerous levels has risen in each age group.

The survey also showed more than 28 per cent of students got their alcohol most often from their parents, with 26 per cent getting it from their friends.

Dr Fiona Wood has warned young people that drinking alcohol can lead to making life-altering decisions. Picture: Matthew Poon Source: News Limited

Dr Wood said an increasing number of young people were presenting at Princess Margaret Hospital with alcohol-induced injuries.

"We see really quite more severe burns often ... as a combination of being in a more hazardous environment with your capacity to protect yourself being impaired," she said.

"I think young children choosing not to drink is something to be encouraged.

"And adding that understanding to people that if they do choose to drink it's not just that drink, that night. It's the flow on effects from that situation."

The campaign launch comes a fortnight before school leavers begins in WA.

Ms Morton said she hoped the launch of the campaign would educate both parents and students and help them make the right decision.

"I'm sure that the police will have their usual road blocks etc but the area that I'm most focused on is making sure that we give parents really good, factual information around the impact of alcohol on young people - young people's developing brains and young people's developing bodies," she said.

"If we can provide parents with that information … parents will want to make the right choices for their children and young people."

More information can be found at http://www.alcoholthinkagain.com.au

The latest phase of the Alcohol. Think Again Parents, Young People and Alcohol Campaign is a joint initiative between the Drug and Alcohol Office, the McCusker Centre for Action on Alcohol and Youth, and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, with funding through the State Government from Healthway.

WA produce on show in China

Beef cattle. WA produce, such as beef, olives and whisky are on show in China this week, for Food and Hotel China. Picture: file image Source: News Limited

WHISKY, beef, nougat and olives are among the West Australian produce to be promoted in Shanghai this week to try to break into the Chinese market.

Food and Hotel China is the country's largest trade exhibition for food and wine, featuring 1100 companies from 77 countries. For the first time, WA will have a stand with 12 local companies displaying their products.

Agriculture and Food Minister Ken Baston said China was already WA's highest value market for agriculture and food, with its trade worth $1.24 billion in 2012-13.

"Western Australia is in a strong position to become a preferred supplier of high-quality and safe food to China and other key Asian markets," he said.

"This is not only due to our proximity to Asia, but because of our world-class biosecurity systems, our research and innovation, our modern supply chain infrastructure and food safety systems." The exhibition is the latest in a push from the WA government to further boost trade ties with China.

Desperation as 10,000 feared dead

TORMENTED survivors of a typhoon that may have killed more than 10,000 have been left to rummage for food through debris scattered with corpses.

Joanne Lees almost destroyed case

THE lawyer who prosecuted one of Australia's most notorious killers Bradley John Murdoch reveals the victim's girlfriend almost ruined their case.

Last month, WA Premier Colin Barnett signed a memorandum of understanding with China's Xia Baolong, party secretary of Zhejiang - WA's sister province in eastern China - regarding the potential live export of cattle.

Under the proposal, cattle would be transported live from WA to a new abattoir built in Zhejiang and the meat would be distributed from there.

While government approval was still needed in China and Australia, Mr Barnett said in October that it could happen in the next six to 12 months. AAP anr/km

Mother's love for a 'genius'

Dr Sean Barrett who was killed in a car crash in Perth in October last year. Source: Supplied

THE mother of a British scientist killed in a horrific Perth car crash has described her son as a "loving genius" whose death has left "unfillable voids in the lives of hundreds of people".

Sean Barrett, 36, was a Cambridge University graduate and a doctor of quantum physics at the Imperial College in London.

He flew into Perth in the early hours of October 19 last year to give a speech on quantum physics at the University of WA, and hopped into a taxi being driven by 28-year-old Kuldeep Singh, a married man who was about to become a dad.

Just minutes after leaving the airport, both Dr Barrett and Mr Singh were killed instantly when a stolen car ran a red light and smashed into their vehicle in Kewdale.

Last week the driver of the stolen car, 24-year-old Antony Edward Fogarty, of Gosnells, pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter. He will be sentenced in January.

Desperation as 10,000 feared dead

TORMENTED survivors of a typhoon that may have killed more than 10,000 have been left to rummage for food through debris scattered with corpses.

Joanne Lees almost destroyed case

THE lawyer who prosecuted one of Australia's most notorious killers Bradley John Murdoch reveals the victim's girlfriend almost ruined their case.

Dr Barrett's mother, Jan, told The Sunday Times: "Sean was a kind, funny, caring, loving, genius of a man. In many ways he was a Renaissance man, but was quite capable when home for a stay of surprising me by cooking me a full English breakfast."

Ms Barrett said her son's shock death had put her in a state of "extreme turmoil".

"I cannot now learn to live a life without the physical presence of my son," she said. "My new grandson, born a year after Sean's death, does not now have an uncle. The godchildren no longer have a godfather. Sean's death has left a huge, unfillable void in the lives of hundreds of people."

Ms Barrett, who lives in Manchester, England, said her family were relieved Fogarty had pleaded guilty.

"Sean's family and friends are relieved that after months of turmoil we are coming to the end of this aspect of the entire incident," Ms Barrett said. "We are certain that the sentence will reflect the seriousness of the offending driver's crimes, but however long his sentence is, it will not equal the lifetime of sadness given to all of us and to Kuldeep Singh's family and friends."

Police had been chasing Fogarty in the stolen car but the pursuit was aborted in South Perth, long before the crash occurred. Crew of a police helicopter that continued to follow the stolen car from the air are believed to have filmed the fatal collision.

Pre-sentence and psychological reports will be prepared ahead of Fogarty's sentencing, which has been set down for January 21.
 

Top doctor backs 'no jab, no play' call

Telethon Institute for Child Health Research director Jonathan Carapetis has backed a call for "no jab, no play" laws. Source: The Courier-Mail

THE head of one of the country's biggest medical research institutes has backed calls for new laws in WA that would ban unvaccinated children from childcare centres.

The Sunday Times revealed last week the Australian Medical Association of WA would ask the Barnett Government to consider introducing "no jab, no play" laws, amid concerns over the state's falling immunisation rates. The proposal was ruled out by Health Minister Kim Hames, who said the Government was already doing enough to protect children.

But, Telethon Institute for Child Health Research director Jonathan Carapetis has urged Dr Hames to reconsider.

"I'm on the committee that advises the WA Health Department on immunisation and I applaud (his) immunisation strategic plan," Prof Carapetis said. "The Government is without a doubt being very active in this area, they are doing a lot (but) I think this additional strategy is worth considering and I'd certainly urge him to have another look at it."

Desperation as 10,000 feared dead

TORMENTED survivors of a typhoon that may have killed more than 10,000 have been left to rummage for food through debris scattered with corpses.

Joanne Lees almost destroyed case

THE lawyer who prosecuted one of Australia's most notorious killers Bradley John Murdoch reveals the victim's girlfriend almost ruined their case.

Australian Child Immunisation Register data shows WA has the worst vaccination record in the nation for young children.

As of June, just 91.1 per cent of two-year-olds and 90.3 per cent of five-year-olds in WA were fully immunised.

Under the AMA plan, unvaccinated children would not be allowed into childcare unless their parents registered as conscientious objectors and presented paperwork, signed by a doctor, justifying their position.

The medical body believes most parents who fail to have their children vaccinated simply forget or are complacent.

"No jab, no play" laws that allow childcare workers to turn away children whose immunisation records are not up to date were passed in NSW in May and will come into effect in January.

Prof Carapetis, who is also a paediatrician, said data showed 80 per cent of children in WA who were not fully immunised were in that position because their parents simply forgot.

"What this move is trying to do is to still give people the choice of not getting their kids immunised, but they have to actively make that choice," he said.

"These sort of moves are known to increase the likelihood that kids who would otherwise be immunised actually do get their vaccine."

The AMA spokesman said it would continue to push for the new laws at a meeting with Dr Hames this week. Dr Hames had no further comment.
 

Perth's new wi-fi at a crawl

Whitney Andrews, Katie Hilless and Vi Tran test the new free wi-fi in the City of Perth at Hay Street Mall. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: The Sunday Times

DOWNLOAD speeds on Perth's new free wi-fi network can be up to 85 times slower than promised.

The Sunday Times tested six CBD locations during a busy lunch period this week.

In some areas download speeds can slow to a crawl and are well below the hyped 50 megabits per second promised during this week's launch by Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi.

At Barrack Square the download speed was a miserable 0.59Mbps. It wasn't much better on King St (2.82Mbps) or the Esplanade (3.04Mbps).

The best result was 6.83Mbps at Forrest Place.

In New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has promised to introduce an expanded public wi-fi scheme that will boast download speeds ranging from 25-100Mbps by December.

Ms Scaffidi launched the free wireless network on Wednesday, making Perth the first Australian capital city with free internet access.

Desperation as 10,000 feared dead

TORMENTED survivors of a typhoon that may have killed more than 10,000 have been left to rummage for food through debris scattered with corpses.

Joanne Lees almost destroyed case

THE lawyer who prosecuted one of Australia's most notorious killers Bradley John Murdoch reveals the victim's girlfriend almost ruined their case.

"The service at optimum performance can provide 50Mbps, however, this speed will vary depending on distance from the closest network hub and number of people on the network," a council spokesman said. "The connection will be fast enough for basic internet browsing, checking your social media accounts and emails."

Internet service provider AmCom is providing the free wi-fi service.

The City of Perth has spent almost $300,000 on implementing the service over the past two years, and it has an annual budget of $150,000 for upgrades and improvements.

Users have a 50-megabyte download limit per connection, which is enough for about 10 songs or 25 photos. Once this limit is reached users will need to reconnect.

If users do not exceed their download limit they can remain connected to the network for an hour. After an hour users will need to reconnect.

Ms Scaffidi said free wi-fi would drive more businesses to enter the CBD. She said AmCom had "set the bar high" with the download speeds, although it was dependent on how many users were logged on.

The City plans to extend coverage across East and West Perth and Northbridge.

"With this first phase ... the best coverage and speed of connection will be in the heart of the CBD  between St Georges Tce and Wellington St and Barrack and William St (where most network hubs are installed)," Ms Scaffidi said.

"As we continue the roll out of the network, the signal strength and speed of the network on the outlying streets will improve as the blanket coverage expands with the installation of more network hubs."

The Sunday Times revealed Ms Scaffidi's plan to introduce free internet during her bid for re-election in 2011.

Man rescued in Moore River emergency

File photo of Moore River. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: PerthNow

A MAN was rescued from sea after the bank of the Moore River, 92 kilometres north of Perth, broke yesterday.

Two men were on an inflatable raft on the river, near the entrance to the ocean, when the bank broke in the late afternoon.

The raft was washed out to sea, during which the 32-year-old man was thrown overboard.

The other man, 31, managed to remain on the raft and was found drfiting 500m north of the river mouth.

The Water Police Coordination Centre coordinated a marine search and rescue operation, deploying a police helicopter and a rescue boat from Two Rocks Volunteer Sea Rescue Group.

The 32-year-old was in the water for about two hours when the police helicopter located him 500m offshore, and directed the rescue boat to him.

He was treated for hypothermia and taken to Joondalup Health Campus for further treatment.

A 15 year old boy was also riding a body board when the bank broke, dragging him out to sea.

He managed to swim to shore where he was treated by St John Ambulance.

A WA Police spokeswoman said the incidents served as a reminder for people to take care when out on the water and to always carry the correct safety gear.
 

McGowan: Modernise or Labor's doomed

LABOR must expand or die, according to West Australian leader Mark McGowan, who has revealed plans for local party branches to hold meetings online.

At the first party conference since the double election defeats earlier this year, Mr McGowan issued a rallying cry to members to modernise.

That will include a plan to create online branches of the party and allow party meetings to be held via Skype or a Google Hangout.

"Imagine being able to take part in some of the local branch meetings via internet from home,'' Mr McGowan said.

"Why can't I, or my shadow ministers, directly engage with you via the internet?''

In a bid to dilute factional influence, Mr McGowan said locals would have a much greater say in WA preselections for candidates, who would then be forced to debate rivals in front of members.

WA Labor members are also being asked to consider adopting the federal leadership election reforms at a state level.

"Now is the time to lay out the welcome mat,'' Mr McGowan said.

"It is the beneficiaries of successful Labor policies who hold the key to our future electoral success. We are doomed to failure if we refuse to recognise these people as 'our people'''.

Continuing the theme of Labor attack since the Liberals soundly won the March state election, Mr McGowan pointed to Premier Colin Barnett's arrogance, hubris and broken promises.

"We have a premier who wrecks rather than creates,'' Mr McGowan said.

And the Labor leader also vowed to resurrect his Metronet public transport plan, the central plank of the losing election campaign.

"It was a great plan and I'm still asked about it virtually every day. It's not dead, far from it,'' Mr McGowan said.

Dozens at risk at start of abalone hunt

WA's abalone season has begun. Source: Supplied

THE first day of the abalone fishing season in Western Australia has passed without tragedy - but only just.

WA's surf lifesaving authorities reported a busy morning today, with dozens of potentially disastrous incidents averted.

After posting a large number of volunteers at popular abalone fishing spots, lifesavers performed 106 "preventative actions'' in the waters off WA, with no major incidents or injuries.

"We have had a busy morning keeping abalone fishermen safe,'' a SLSWA spokesman said.

For just five one-hour sessions on the first Sunday of the months from November to March, members of the public are allowed to fish for the marine delicacy.

Last season, two men died and another had his life saved during the recreational abalone season.

In November 2012, a 20-year-old Malaysian was swept out to sea in treacherous conditions while searching for the large edible sea snails north of Perth.

In late December, a Chinese man in his 40s drowned in the waters near Cape Leeuwin in the state's southwest.

And in January, the swift actions of a beach inspector saved a 50-year-old man hunting for abalone at Trigg Beach in Perth.

Man bashed with star picket

Police are investigating several incidents overnight, including the bashing of a man with a star picket. Picture: Matthew Poon Source: PerthNow

POLICE are investigating a series of incidents that occurred overnight, including one where a man was allegedly bashed with a star picket.

North Fremantle alleged assault

Murdoch detectives have charged two men after an assault in North Fremantle early this morning.

About 12.50am a 29-year-old was allegedly bashed by the men, one of whom allegedly used a star picket as a weapon.

A 21-year-old was charged with act intended to cause grievous bodily harm and will appear in court tomorrow. A 20-year-old Noranda man was summonsed for assault.

Armadale serious crash

Major crash investigators have issued a plea for the public to help their investigation into a serious crash in Armadale.

About 6.40pm yesterday a Ford Transit panel van collided with a 31-year-old's off-road motorcycle at the intersection of Cabarita Rd and Cobar St.

The motorcyclist suffered serious injuries and was taken to Armadale Hospital for treatment.

Coogee suspicious fires

Detectives are investigating several suspicious vehicle fires in Coogee this morning.

About 3.30am police were called to Mills St near Kiesey St where three cars and a truck were on fire.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services officers told police about the fires while on the way to a fire at the Coogee old power station.

Police believe the fires were deliberately lit.

Padbury armed robbery

THE regional investigations unit have asked the public for any information they have about an armed robbery at the Padbury Video Ezy store overnight.

About 9.15pm, a man armed with a tomahawk entered the store on Warburton Ave and threatened staff, demanding cash.

He stole an amount of money before running away.

The man is decribed as being between 30 and 40-years-old, has a solid build and was wearing denim shorts, a grey hooded jumper, black face mask and a white baseball cap.

Anyone with information about the above incidents should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
 

Cops hitting hard on beach grog

WA Police are promising to crack down on beach drinkers this summer. Picture: Supplied (this is a generic police image and not of actual crime scene). Source: PerthNow

POLICE have pledged to crack down on people drinking at beaches and in public parks this summer.

They have promised a zero-tolerance approach to it, in a bid to minimise violent flare-ups.

Even families or couples enjoying a peaceful weekend sip at their favourite picnic spot could land a $200 fine.

Acting Commander Charlie Carver said police in all metropolitan districts that patrol beaches had been instructed to enforce the crackdown.

He said police were drawing "a line in the sand" on drinking in those areas.

Trouble-makers would get special attention.

"We are looking for those people who are under the influence of alcohol, are anti-social and disrupting everyone," he said.

He added that drinking alcohol in a public place was illegal.

"I will put it out there," he said.

"Any drinking on any beach, park or foreshore is illegal and that includes people who are actually having one glass of wine.

"It's right across the board. It's alcohol.

"We can't single out certain people.

"This year we have gone on the front foot and are saying from this day forward at the start of summer we are targeting those people.

"The message is clear if you drink alcohol on the beach, it carries a $200 penalty.

"If police do catch you drinking on the beach or in parks or gardens you will get an infringement."

People who see anti-social behaviour, or people acting suspiciously near parked cars or on the beach, should call police on 131 444 to report it.