Following the success of the 2009 Operation Unite - A Blitz on Drunken Violence, Australia and New Zealand Police will again undertake a large-scale operation this weekend targeting, alcohol misuse, crime, violence and anti-social behaviour in urban centres.
Northern Territory Police Officers including mounted police and the dog squad will be out in force for the Territory component of the weekend, National Operation.
The Territory Operation Unite commences this Friday night and concludes at 5am on Sunday 12 September.
NT Police Deputy Commissioner Shayne Maines said the National Operation coincided with the current momentum for tackling alcohol fuelled violence in the Territory.
"Initiatives to tackle alcohol fuelled violence are firmly on the Territories 'agenda'.
"Key stakeholders including the community and the Police have made and continue to make their point clear. But some individuals continue to ignore the message, consume alcohol irresponsibly and end up on the wrong side of the law.
"If individuals drank and behaved responsibly, respected others, alcohol related violence would fix itself without the need for intervention from authorities.
"Operation Unite demonstrates that this is not a problem unique to the Territory. Alcohol fuelled violence is a problem which cannot be addressed by law enforcement alone." Deputy Commissioner Maines said.
Northern Territory Police have been actively supporting a number of alcohol related anti-social behaviour campaigns and Government announcements including the recent proposal to ban problem drinkers from purchasing alcohol.
Earlier this week, NT Police also welcomed an announcement by the Australian Hotels Association to introduce Liquor Accords which includes the introduction of shatter glasses and measures to reduce drinking incentives.
The introduction of the CCTV system throughout Darwin CBD, monitored in the Joint Emergency Services Call Centre in Berrimah is also a valuable addition to enable Police to keep people safe.
Deputy Commissioner Maines said Police will be out in force as part of the national crackdown this weekend.
"There will be extra police patrols rostered for the Operation. The Police will be highly visible and taking a zero tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour.
"Individuals and groups who are unable to drink responsibly and engage in anti-social or violent behaviour need to understand that police will take action to protect the community.
"I ask all revellers who want to enjoy a drink and have a good night out to do exactly that. Have fun, look out for one another, drink responsibly and plan to get yourselves home safely at the end of the night.
"An empty Police watch house is a good watch house." Deputy Commissioner Maines concluded.
Statistics:
During the Northern Territory Operation Unite in December 2009, there were 25 arrests, 14 summonses, 184 patrols of licensed premises and 122 litres of alcohol tipped out. There were also 162 persons taken into protective custody.
Throughout 2008/2009, 35,397 people were taken into protective custody. This increased slightly to 35,869 during 2009/2010. This does not include those conveyed home or to the sobering up shelters. Protective custody allows NT Police to take intoxicated persons into custody for their, and/or the communities protection. The persons are released once sober without charge.
NT Police will soon be able to issue 'banning notices' within declared designated areas under recent amendments to the NT Liquor Act. The banning notice will allow Police to identify and remove participants that engage in alcohol fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour within the community for up to 48 hours. If a person receives 3 banning notices within a 24 month period, they could also face an exclusion order from a specified area.
Throughout 2009/2010, 42% of incidents Police attended against a person, anti social behaviour and road incidents were alcohol related.
Throughout 2009/2010, 3605 drink drivers were apprehended on Territory Roads. A total of 196,701 drivers were tested.
27 of the 35 deaths on NT roads this (calendar) year to date were alcohol related.
During 2008/2009, NT Police responded to 1061 disturbances at licensed premises. The majority, 347 were in Darwin City.
During 2009/2010, NT Police responded to 969 disturbances at licensed premises. The majority, 381 were in Darwin City. 88 were in Alice Springs, 33 in Katherine and 24 in Tenant Creek.
Media Contact
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