Senior Constable Dave Coyle said alcohol-related crime in Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest during this period had been a problem in the past, especially patrons of licensed premises not leaving when they were asked to.

‘‘Have a good time but remember the rules still apply over Christmas and New Year’s,’’ Senior Constable Coyle said.

‘‘In relation to licensed premises, it’s important to remember that if you’re asked to go you must leave, no ifs no buts.

‘‘If you don’t, you will receive a $550 infringement.’’

Traditionally, Tea Gardens Hawks Nest’s population explodes on December 26, Boxing Day, as families flood the twin towns.

In January, the Myall Coast Nota reported that Tea Gardens Real Estate and First National Real Estate Hawks Nest had their 308 properties booked out throughout the last Christmas and New Year period.

Tea Gardens Real Estate principal Rick Wraight said of the 151 properties it currently manages, 71per cent of those were already booked for the four-week holiday period during Christmas and New Year’s.

‘‘The last 30per cent of bookings will now really depend on the weather. We’ll probably get to 90per cent [booking rate] for those four weeks,’’ he said.

Mr Wraight was confident this year’s festive season would be busy for accommodation hubs and businesses due to the twin towns already filling up with people on the weekends.

‘‘Already we’re very busy with non-holiday type people, the families with small children who don’t go to school. It’s becoming more and more popular to visit Tea Gardens Hawks Nest.’’