Police on the prowl in Kings Cross

Car enthusiasts, drug-takers, licensed premises and badly-behaved visitors in Kings Cross have been the target of a high-visibility operation by NSW Police this month.
Kings Cross Local Area Command joined forces with the Public Order and Riot Squad, the Mounted Unit, Operation Taipan and the Dog Unit to patrol the streets of the popular nightspot one selected weekends and weekdays.
According to police, the operation was carried out in response to incidents of alcohol-related crime and drug dealing in the inner-city suburb, as well as an influx of car enthusiasts. Licensed premises, public areas and roadways were all targeted.
Acting Kings Cross Local Area Commander, Superintendent Luke Freudenstein, said it was about sending a strong message to visitors of the area that criminal behaviour would not be tolerated.
“We welcome people into Kings Cross who come here to have a good time, but anyone who wants to commit crimes or partake in antisocial behaviour will come under police notice,’ Supt Freudenstein said.
‘It has also come to our attention that car enthusiasts who have modified their vehicles and are creating excessive noise have been flocking to the Kings Cross area in recent times and they are also in our sights.”
Earlier this month, Operation Taipan officers stopped 145 vehicles in one night, arresting five people, including three for drink-driving, issuing 26 traffic infringement notices, six speeding fines and two defect notices.