Approximately 80 NT Police Officers were dedicated to Operation Unite over the weekend as part of the National Operation tackling alcohol fuelled violence in and around licensed premises.
High visibility, proactive Police patrols through licensed premises formed a key part of the Operation and Police are pleased to report that on the most part, it appeared to be an enjoyable night out for all.
However, Commander Kym Davies, Incident Controller for the Operation said it wasn't all good news as there was a number of disturbing traffic offences and a Police Officer assaulted in Alice Springs.
"There were 7 drink drivers on Friday night and 23 on Saturday.
"Of these, there were four unlicensed drink drivers in Alice Springs who had unrestrained children in the car also.
"One 25 year old female blew 0.239%. She was driving an unregistered, uninsured, unsafe vehicle including missing wheel nuts and no headlights. She has already been disqualified for life by another jurisdiction and had an unrestrained 1 month old child in the car.
"A 42 year old male was arrested and charged with assaulting a Police Officer among other charges after being refused service in a licensed premise in Alice Springs. The bar staff have clearly identified the individual as too intoxicated and rightly refused him service. When another patron bought the intoxicated male a drink, the security escorted him off the premises and called Police for assistance.
"Police arrived to take him into protective custody. Once in the rear of the Police vehicle, he lit a cigarette. When Police asked him to put the cigarette out, he refused. Police opened the door at which point, the offender has punched the Senior Constable in the chin. Once in the Watch House, the offender continued to be abusive, and threw one of his shoes at an officer.
"All too often, Police are dealing with this type of intoxicated abuse caused by persons who have simply drunk too much alcohol and are unable to behave appropriately.
"People need to drink responsibly including drinking plenty of water, and friends need to look out for one another.
"Planning ahead on how you are going to get home safely can't be said often enough." Commander Kym Davies said.
During the course of the weekend Operation, a total of 141 people across the Territory's Urban Centres were taken into protective custody. This equates to 141 people who Police considered to be too intoxicated that they present a risk to themselves or others. Protective Custody ranges from those conveyed home into the care of a responsible adult, those taken to a sobering up shelter or those taken to the Police Watch house. The 141 people this weekend compares to 143 in the December 2010 operation and 423 in the September 2010 operation.
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