Newcastle’s much publicised crackdown on the sale of alcohol after dark paid off on the stats board, and it’s also paid off for the police who introduced it.
The city’s Licensing Unit was one of seven winners at today’s Australian Institute of Criminology’s Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards.
The Newcastle City Local Area Command brought in measures in 2008, including reduced trading hours, tougher security and restrictions on the quantity of alcohol served, on 14 licensed premises across the city.
It was in response to an increase in assaults,malicious damage and street fights.
A study found that in the first three years, night time street offences were halved, while there was a 25 per cent reduction in night time assault related presentations in emergency departments.
“These results speak for themselves, and demonstrate what can be achieved in relation to reducing alcohol-related violence,” Commander of Drug and Alcohol Coordination at NSW Police, Superintendent Patrick Paroz, said.
“The Newcastle City Licensing Unit has been formally recognised with this award, which I am sure they accept on behalf of their community and the partner agencies involved.
“The results also reflect a concerted effort over several years. That hard work is continuing, and includes working closely with the licensed venues, which have adopted a very proactive approach to reducing alcohol-related incidents in and near their premises.
“Alcohol-related violence had been a long-standing issue within Newcastle City LAC, and with all the harm it was causing our community, one that could only be described as wicked,” Newcastle City Lac Commander, Superintendent John Gralton, said.
“After a process of research and consultation, we decided the best way to tackle this issue was head-on, through a range of unique restrictions placed on licensed premises,” Supt Gralton said.
“The results achieved via this program are quite remarkable, and it is fair to say this work will have connotations and considerations for law enforcement across Australia and internationally,” he said.
