The officers have already been on duty for about seven hours, with many too busy to have their allocated 20-minute meal break.

They’re heading into town for the last, but arguably one of the most important, parts of their shift.

Tasmania Police Inspector Scott Flude said having police on the beat Friday and Saturday nights helps reduce public assaults – something the Northern district is focusing on over summer.  

“Police presence modifies people’s behaviour,” he said.

Inspector Flude said while brawls are a thing of the past, public assaults happen weekly in the state’s North.

The Examiner walked the streets with Tasmania Police Sergeant Matthew Shea and his team on the night of December 14.

Sergeant Shea said they were looking for liquor offences, anti-social behaviour and inappropriate behaviour, but the foot patrol was largely about having a visible police presence.

The uniformed officers check in with security before heading into some of Launceston’s well-known late-night venues. The officers enter, with their high-vis uniforms catching most people’s attention.  

The presence of police immediately alters the public’s behaviour and there are mixed reactions to seeing the officers.

A group of women on the dance floor try to take sneaky selfies - ensuring their mobile phone is angled just high enough to get the officers in the background, most patrons have a quick glance and return to chatting with their friends, and others tap their mates and motion heads and hands towards the officers.

Inspector Flude said police presence modifies people’s behaviour.

“Over the Christmas and New Year period there will be an increased police presence and we know it has a good affect,” he said.

From pubs to food venues and car parks, the officers targeted several after-dark hotspots while on the beat.

The officers would sporadically stop for a chat with pedestrians and venue patrons, with overall behaviour fairly seamless.

There will be a strong police presence over the summer period and punters are advised to report any anti-social behaviour to police on 131 444, or to triple zero in an emergency.

The Examiner’s In Your Hands campaign will run over summer, reinforcing the road and public safety messages and the work done by emergency services.