New Year celebration in Mt Hagen city, Western Highlands was pretty peaceful.

Unlike past Christmas and New Year periods, the current liquor ban and show of police presence instilled control of sorts.

It began with a convoy of police vehicles that drove around Mt Hagen city in a show of force and followed by routine patrols around the city.

There were minor alcohol and traffic related offences attended to in the night but police maintain that most streets in the city were empty by nightfall.

It was further observed that the liquor ban also resulted in many residents remaining sober this festive season and keeping the disturbance to a minimum.