Bayside hooning crackdown: 30 charged for drink driving and drug offences

NSW Police cracked down on traffic hoons and dangerous driving in the Botany Bay Foreshore over the weekend following increasing complaints from Bayside residents.

Police patrolled roads between Sans Souci and Kyeemagh on July 7 and 8 under Operation Spoiler. During the operation, police issued 658 infringement notices, 25 defect notices and charged 30 people with various drink driving and drug offences.

Bayside Mayor Dr Christina Curry praised the operation, which was run as a collaborative effort between local police, Traffic and Highway Patrol Area Command, Raptor Highway Patrol officers and the Dog Unit.

“Hooning endangers other road users and pedestrians. Bayside Council takes community safety seriously and supports all efforts to combat anti-social behaviour that impacts on the quality of life of residents and local businesses.

“The Foreshore suburbs, particularly Brighton Le Sands and Sans Souci, are known hotspots reported by residents on our Say No to Hooning! Bayside Hotspot Map,” Mayor Curry told Bayside Beacon.

A notable incident during the operation resulted in a defect notice being issued to a high-performance Holden Commodore that had a nitrous oxide system fitted to the fuel system. The system aims to increase the power output of an engine and is considered highly illegal and dangerous.

Chief Inspector Paul Cibulka of Traffic and Highway Patrol Command says police will continue to ensure motorists comply with road rules and safely share the road network.

“There is no place on our roads for dangerous driving behaviour, drink or drug driving or any acts that puts other motorists at risk,” said Cibulka.

On Friday July 7 at 6:20pm, police stopped a 25-year-old man driving a white Toyota Corolla for random testing under Operation Spoiler. The tests were positive, with further investigation revealing the man was a disqualified driver. He allegedly accelerated his vehicle in an attempt to avoid arrest, knocking a police officer to the ground. The officer sustained minor injuries.

The man was charged with nine offences, including the use of an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, escaping police custody and hindering or resisting a police officer in the execution of duty. He will appear before Sutherland Local Court on Thursday July 27.

In February this year, Bayside Council granted NSW Police St George Area Command access to over 70 CCTV cameras to support NSW Police in the prosecution of criminal behaviour such as hooning.

Bayside Council collects data from community input in the Say No to Hooning! Bayside Hotspots Map, highlighting specific areas of concern to police.

Operation Spoiler is a traffic enforcement operation that occurs across the state; however, on this particular occasion it was conducted at the Botany Bay Foreshore area in response to the complaints from local residents.

“I applaud the St George Area Command and NSW Police for Operation Spoiler which saw them crack down on hooning and speeding over the weekend,” said Mayor Curry.