Communities in the Northern Territory’s Central and Southern regions are seeing the results of increased proactive policing under Operation Haven.

These strategies to reduce domestic and family violence and alcohol abuse harness the combined efforts of government agencies and community stakeholders.

 “As a result of an increase in proactive police engagement activities, we’ve seen a spike in figures relating to domestic violence, however we are seeing significantly less cases of serious violence as a result of alcohol abuse,” Operation Commander Janelle Tonkin said.

The operation trial period has now been operating for two months in Alice Springs, one and a half months in Tennant Creek and one month in Katherine.

Operations Commander Tonkin thanked the public for their ongoing support and for the information that has been passed on to police.

“It is pleasing to see the community really getting behind this by reporting suspected incidents and working together with police, government and non-government agencies to combat some of the local issues.

“Operation Haven has also provided us with the chance to educate people about alcohol supply,” she said.

“The liquor restrictions in Tennant Creek have also sparked a conversation about ‘sly grogging’ or the secondary supply of alcohol.

“The community knows we’re on the lookout for people buying alcohol and then on-selling it to others.”

Operations Commander Tonkin urged people to report grog running and other breaches of the Liquor Act.

“It’s not against the law for people to buy large quantities of alcohol. But it is illegal for them to then sell that to another person or supply it to someone who has a BDO.

“We know communities are talking about this and we need them to report it.”

If you have any information, you can call police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.

Fast Facts – Alice Springs

• Conducted 198 checks of all licensed premises with a focus on BDR compliance
• Conducted 424 targeted BDO checks and detected 364 breaches
• Conducted 23 private restricted premises checks and issued 63 Liquor Infringement Notices
• Conducted 462 proactive DVO compliance checks and made 270 arrests for DV offences, including for aggravated assault
• Taken 241 persons into protective custody

Fast Facts – Tennant Creek

• Conducted 238 checks of all licensed premises with a focus on BDR compliance
• Conducted 315 targeted BDO checks and detected 36 breaches
• Conducted 41 private restricted premises checks and issued 45 Liquor Infringement Notices
• Conducted 189 proactive DVO compliance checks and made 76 arrests for DV offences, including for aggravated assault
• Taken 201 persons into protective custody

Fast Facts – Katherine

• Conducted 156 checks of all licensed premises with a focus on BDR compliance
• Conducted 286 targeted BDO checks and detected 8 breaches
• Conducted 5 private restricted premises checks and issued 125 Liquor Infringement Notices
• Conducted 377 proactive DVO compliance checks and made 109 arrests for DV offences, including for aggravated assault
• Taken 130 persons into protective custody