Northern Territory Police would like to thank officers, members of the public and other agencies for their assistance with Operation Haven since it was launched nearly a month ago.

On 15 February 2018, NT Police launched the 12-week pilot in Alice Springs, to provide a new coordinated approach to tackling domestic and family violence.

Operation Haven is about protecting victims of family violence, bringing offenders to justice and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people exposed to domestic violence. It also has a significant focus on alcohol supply and the responsible service of alcohol.

A week after Operation Haven was launched, the Commissioner of Police and CEO of Emergency Services, Reece Kershaw, accelerated the expansion of Operation Haven to Tennant Creek.

Additional resources are in place in the town to protect victims of domestic violence and target its causal factors, including alcohol abuse, recidivism and family dysfunction.  

Operation Haven Commander Janelle Tonkin said police are actively targeting the secondary supply of alcohol as part of the prevention of domestic violence offences and ongoing alcohol harm.

“We have adapted our strategies to target offenders in this space, whose methods have become increasingly sophisticated,” Operations Commander Tonkin said.

Detectives seized a vehicle which was transporting liquor into an Alcohol Protected Area at the weekend, as well as two other vehicles involved in similar offences during the past several weeks.

“Operation Haven has already delivered some great results in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek,” Operations Commander Tonkin said.

“I’m proud of the work our members have been doing working with the Alice Springs and Tennant Creek communities and other agencies.

“These results show our intelligence-led approach to policing in these areas is working.”

In addition, police have detected a pattern where people are bypassing the Banned Drinker Register (BDR) at takeaway liquor outlets.

Ten alleged breaches against the BDR were detected at various locations across the Northern Territory and prosecution files have been prepared, as well as files for the Director-General of Licensing to consider.

“It’s disappointing to see some in the industry aren’t complying with the BDR, but it is encouraging that most in the industry are,” Operations Commander Tonkin said.

“Northern Territory Police are continuing to work with Licensing and those in the industry to ensure compliance.

“We’re also pleased with the help we’ve received from the community, who have called police on 131 444 or contacted CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 to anonymously report domestic violence and the secondary supply of alcohol.”

Fast Facts – Alice Springs and Tennant Creek

• 159 checks of all licenced premises with a focus on BDR compliance
• Conducted 216 targeted BDO checks
• Conducted 465 proactive DVO compliance checks and made 81 arrests for DV offences, including for aggravated assault
• Taken 62 persons into protective custody
• Conducted 18 private restricted premises checks and 81 Alcohol Protected Area checks.