230 arrests at Beach Hop

Police believe they have got the mix right at large events in the Coromandel, with far fewer arrests at this weekend's Beach Hop.

Just over 100 staff from Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Auckland were drafted into Whangamata.

Around 230 arrests were made, 60 fewer than last year, and well down on previous years. Waikato operations manager Inspector John Kelly says the liquor ban allowed them to nip problems in the bud.

He says a lot of the troublemakers were not at the event itself, but were younger people drinking in the street.

John Kelly says the challenge now is for those driving home along the hilly, winding roads out of Whangamata to do so safely.

- NEWSTALK ZB