Richmond Police District officers have been busy in the last seven days, charging 40 people with 59 offences. Of these 21, or 35.6%, were Domestic Violence (DV) related.

The Top Three Offence Categories were:

• Traffic - 13
• Assaults - 11
• Contravene AVO - 8

SIGNIFICANT ARRESTS:

1. Just prior to midnight on the 31st of December 2025, police allegedly observed an 18-year-old male carrying alcohol in a designated alcohol prohibition area during New Year’s Eve festivities at Evans Head. After repeated requests to dispose of the alcohol were ignored, the male became aggressive, smashed bottles, grabbed the officer’s shirt, resisted arrest, kicked police, and spat in the officer’s face. He was arrested and charged with failing to comply with a council notice, behaving offensively, and assaulting police. He is due to appear before the Ballina Local Court on the 4th of February 2026.

2. On the 2nd January 2026, a 32yr old male had earlier been ejected from the Woodburn Rod and Reel Pub for alleged intoxication and argumentative behaviour, resulting in a police infringement. Later that evening, police attended Evans Head RSL after reports of disorderly patrons. The same male was again allegedly found to be in a heated confrontation and appeared intoxicated. He was argumentative with police and refused to leave the premises. After repeated warnings, police forcibly removed him, during which he resisted and attempted to obstruct officers before being secured in a police vehicle. The accused was charged with Excluded person fail to leave premises when required and Hinder/Resist police officer in the execution of duty. He is due to appear before the Ballina Local Court on the 12th of February 2026.

3. On the 2nd of January 2026, police stopped a 24-year-old male in Lismore for allegedly riding a bike without a helmet. He was acting suspiciously and attempted to flee upon sighting police, but was detained. A search of the male revealed a concealed knife and a prohibited drug. The male was issued a Court Attendance Notice for Custody of a knife in a public place – subsequent offence and possess prohibited drug, He is due to appear before the Lismore Local Court on the 23rd of February 2026.

4. On the 3rd of January 2026, police responded to reports of two males trespassing at the old Richmond River High School in North Lismore. The pair allegedly took a yellow canoe and tied it to a vehicle. Police located the vehicle, with one of the males. Police questioned the 39-year-old male, who admitted to entering the property and taking the canoe. Police issued a Court Attendance Notice to the male for trespass and larceny. He is due to appear before the Lismore Local Court on the 22nd of January 2026.

5. On the 6th of January 2026, Lismore police attempted to stop a white Holden Commodore after observing suspicious behaviour. The driver allegedly fled at high speed through the CBD and Wyrallah Road, Dalley Street and Cynthia Wilson Drive, sparking a pursuit that was terminated for safety reasons. A short time later, the vehicle was found abandoned in Invercauld Drive, Goonellabah, where the 18-year-old driver, who was unlicensed and hiding nearby, was arrested. He was charged with Police pursuit - not stop - drive at speed, Drive motor vehicle while licence suspended and Not comply P1 licence-no P plates. He is due to appear before the Lismore Local Court on the 12th of January 2026.

The advice for the public is that community safety is everyone’s responsibility:

• Secure your homes
• Lock your vehicles
• Keep valuables out of sight
• Ensure your CCTV is working and recording
• Simple steps make a big difference. Together, we can prevent crime and keep our community safe.