Scores of people have been charged by police on the first weekend of a high-visibility operation that will run until the end of February 2021.
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Officers involved in Operation Summer Safe laid more than 50 charges throughout the South Coast between Thursday December 10 and Saturday December 12.
The operation targets anti-social behaviour, alcohol-related violence and driving offences between Nowra and Batemans Bay, as well as compliance with public health orders.
Almost 500 random breath tests and 271 random drug tests were conducted, and four charges were laid for drink driving
Six people were charged with possessing prohibited drugs, and 51 charges were laid for offences including drug and weapon possession, failing to leave a licensed premises and other traffic-related incidents.
Southern Region Operations Manager, Detective Superintendent Kevin McNeil, said police will continue to conduct regular patrols.
"We have paid particular attention to our coastal towns in recent weeks, with the influx of visitors and the weather warming up," Det Supt McNeil said.
"We know people are keen to support our regional towns, particularly those that were affected by bushfires, but I cannot stress enough how important it is that people do so safely.
"The public needs to adhere to venues' COVID-19 safety plans, ensure they are physically distancing and comply with the rules set by the NSW Government.
"We are also continuing to focus on safe driver behaviour and making sure people get from A to B safely."
