North Brisbane District police surged into Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley (FTV) Safe Night Precinct (SNP) as part of Operation Yankee Deepwell on the weekend.
The operation was launched as part of Brisbane’s ongoing commitment to the safety of SNPs and public spaces with the increasing popularity of people attending FTV SNP for weekend Halloween festivities.
In 2025, an estimated 58,920 patrons visited FTV SNP on Halloween, exceeding the estimated 51,242 patrons who visited on New Years Eve.
In contrast, an estimated average of 28,000 patrons visit FTV SNP on a typical Friday night or up to 48,000 on Saturday.
Although official scanning data has not been received police on the ground report larger numbers witnessed then last year’s Halloween.
Police conducted high visibility and covert patrols throughout the night with the support of General Duties police, Tactical Crime Squad, Public Safety Response Team, Brisbane Dog Squad’s drug detection dogs, Mounted Unit, Bike Squad, and plain clothes police.
North Brisbane District Highway Patrol also conducted patrols and static enforcement sites to detect any driving under the influence offences.
Overall, police are pleased with SNP attendee behaviour with the majority of people doing the right thing and enjoying the Brisbane night life festivities.
Throughout the operation, police charged 39 people on 63 offences, including over 35 drug related offences, 8 public nuisance related offences, and 4 obstruct police offences.
Police also issued 22 banning notices across the Fortitude Valley Safe Night Precinct as part of their effort to take swift and decisive action to prevent further disruption to the community and make it clear that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in our public spaces.
This effort was also supported by Jacks Law Wanding patrols and resulted in 36-year-old Goomeri man allegedly being in possession of a large knife and drug utensils.
The man was charged with possession of a knife in a public place, failing to safely dispose of a needle, and is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on 27 November.
Fortitude Valley Patrol Acting Inspector Stuart Kerr says police will continue to do their part to keep Brisbane’s SNP’s safe and work closely with licenced venues and the community to ensure they play their part too.
“If you are attending Brisbane’s SNPs, we expect you to drink responsibly whilst respecting venue staff and other patrons,” Acting Inspector Kerr says.
“Set your night up for success by ensuring that you plan your journey home before you leave, and don’t hesitate to report suspicious or concerning behaviour to police or venue security.
“Whether you are choosing to drink in a SNP or elsewhere in Brisbane, you should not be getting behind the wheel and driving when you are over the limit.
“It is incredibly disappointing to continue to identify people who drive whilst under the influence. Risking not only their lives, but also selfishly risking the lives of their passengers and other road users.
“Police will continue to conduct frequent road safety enforcement around Brisbane’s SNPs to ensure anyone driving under the influence is identified and held to account.”
