Police charge 39 people during Fortitude Valley Halloween operation

Police charged 39 people on 63 offences and issued 22 banning notices during Operation Yankee Deepwell in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley Safe Night Precinct over the weekend, Queensland Police Service says.

North Brisbane District police surged into the precinct as Halloween festivities drew large crowds. Police said an estimated 58,920 patrons visited the precinct on Halloween in 2025, more than the estimated 51,242 who came on New Year's Eve. A typical Friday night draws an average of about 28,000 people, and a Saturday up to 48,000.

Official scanning data has not yet been received, but officers on the ground reported larger numbers than last year's Halloween.

Police ran high-visibility and covert patrols through the night. They were supported by General Duties police, the Tactical Crime Squad, the Public Safety Response Team, drug detection dogs from the Brisbane Dog Squad, the Mounted Unit, the Bike Squad and plain clothes officers. North Brisbane District Highway Patrol also ran patrols and static enforcement sites to detect driving under the influence offences.

The 63 offences included more than 35 drug-related offences, 8 public nuisance offences and 4 obstruct police offences. Police said they were pleased with the behaviour of most people in the precinct.

Jacks Law wanding patrols led to a 36-year-old Goomeri man being charged after he was allegedly found with a large knife and drug utensils. He was charged with possession of a knife in a public place and failing to safely dispose of a needle. He is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on 27 November.

Fortitude Valley Patrol Acting Inspector Stuart Kerr said police would keep working closely with licensed venues and the community. "If you are attending Brisbane's SNPs, we expect you to drink responsibly whilst respecting venue staff and other patrons," he said. He urged people to plan their journey home before leaving and 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," Acting Inspector Kerr said.

Anyone with information can contact Policelink on 131 444 or use the online suspicious activity form on the Queensland Police website, 24 hours a day. Information can also be given anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers Queensland website.