Riverfire Crowd Praised After 18 Arrests

Queensland police have praised the behaviour of crowds at Riverfire 2026, reporting 18 arrests and six move-on directions during the Brisbane event on September 5. More than 105,000 people attended locations including Captain Burke Park, South Bank Parklands, Kangaroo Point, Wilson’s Lookout and Lower River Terrace.

The arrests involved offences including public nuisance and drug-related matters. Police coordinated the operation through the State Police Operations Centre, with support from Water Police, Highway Patrol, the Brisbane City Bike Squad, the Public Safety Response Team, POLAIR and other specialist units and partner agencies.

After the event ended at about 8:45 p.m., officers responded to a disturbance at a shopping centre on Queen Street in Brisbane City. Police arrested a man, while two others were also arrested after allegedly attempting to obstruct the arrest. One man was tasered before being taken into custody. No police officers were injured, and investigations remain ongoing.

Riverfire Operations Commander Acting Chief Superintendent Simon Tayler thanked attendees for following police directions during road and bridge closures. He said the event’s overall crowd behaviour and the reopening of major roads, river routes and cycleways were positive, while warning that police would take swift action against antisocial behaviour.