Central Otago Police are already making plans for safely escorting carloads of young people in and out of Alexandra for next weekend’s Blossom Festival.

The festival has been relatively crime free since alcohol restriction zones were implemented back in 2019, which also included at weekends, and between Christmas and New Year.

The Central Otago District Council has a liquor ban in place between the hours of midnight Thursday and 12am Sunday during the Blossom Festival, which incorporates Alexandra, Clyde and Cromwell.

But it hasn’t stopped the carloads of mostly young people arriving from Dunedin, Gore and Invercargill for the weekend, who often involve themselves in traditional activities along the way.

Alexandra Police Senior Constable Graham Perkins said there will be a huge police presence at the festival and as far south as Raes Junction, which was the first meeting place in the district for the groups.

Southland Police will escort them to Tapanui and Central Otago policing units, along with rural highway patrol, will shadow them into the district and set up checkpoints along the way.

“We’ll be taking a hard line on consumption of alcohol in public places,” he said.

Vehicles will be inspected regularly by police coming into Alexandra, including at Roxburgh where a convoy of vehicles traditionally block the top of the dam road.

“They like to stop there and take photos,” he said.

Some years the young people have found it entertaining to urinate off the side of the dam and throw bottles of alcohol as well, but with police keeping a close eye on things, that behaviour can be stamped out, he said.

Snr Const Perkins said while it was a huge drain on police resources, it was important to keep the roads clear and safe for motorists.

“We don’t expect a lot of trouble, and we do expect good weather,” he said.

The following weekend police will also be out in force for the Merino Shears in Alexandra, keeping an eye on local pubs in the town.

To keep up to date with all the Alexandra Blossom Festival activities, visit The Central App.