Drunken behaviour a focus from Friday

Alcohol fuelled violence on the roads, in homes and other public places will be given extra attention this Friday night as part of Operation Unite - a combined New Zealand and Australia Police safety campaign.

Police throughout New Zealand are backing the high visibility 12-hour operation, with support from partner agencies in the health and alcohol harm reduction sector, Maori Wardens, Community Patrols and other interest groups.

"Operation Unite aims to send a strong and clear message that police and the community will not put up with alcohol related violence, drunken behaviour and other related crime," said Acting Assistant Commissioner Win Van der Velde, Specialist Operations, Police National Headquarters.

Alcohol related crime is estimated to cost the New Zealand justice sector $716.5 million. New Zealand Police spends $200m on dealing with the misuse of alcohol.

"We're not pretending that a one-night operation will solve alcohol related crime and anti social behaviours on both sides of the Tasman. Community action is needed to bring about a long term cultural change to the social costs of excessive drinking.

"Operation Unite is an opportunity for police in New Zealand and Australia to show a united stance and to keep alcohol related issues in the public eye. It challenges the drinking public to take greater responsibility for their behaviour, that of their family and friends."

Police throughout New Zealand will be paying extra attention on Friday night to:
• targeting drink drivers, reinforcing the 'anywhere anytime' message;
• rigorously enforcing breach of liquor bans and alcohol offences in public places;
• enforcing under-age drinking in public places through use of liquor infringement notices and follow up action with young people's parents/caregivers;
• visiting licensed premises identified as posing risks and conducting compliance checks;
• spot checks of on and off license premises, hotels and clubs; and
• reinforcing the partnership approach to reducing alcohol related harm.

The combined Friday night focus sees police staff from all operational units working together - general duties, youth services, CIB, Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Services, Intelligence and Communications Centres. Results from the New Zealand and Australian operation will be collated and released on Monday.

It's not just enforcement - prevention and education is vital in changing people's attitudes to drinking. One initiative being used on Friday night is giving everyone who comes to police attention for alcohol related offending a wallet sized prompt card with the Alcohol and Drug Association of New Zealand's helpline number 0800 787 797.

Host responsibility resources for licensed premises and ALAC postcards with the message 'Ease up on the drink' are also being used.

"Reducing alcohol related harm is a top priority for police and it needs to be a public one too," Mr Van der Velde said. "People need to step up too. Look after your friends and family. Have that tough conversation about drinking habits, and how you can keep people safe.

"Be a good host and ensure there's food and non alcoholic beverages for social gatherings and arrange safe alternative transport options home. Intoxicated drivers are a risk to all road users."

All 12 police districts in New Zealand are supporting the operation, although the Canterbury focus remains on wider public safety following this week's earthquakes.

Key New Zealand statistics:
• Approximately one third of all Police apprehensions will have consumed alcohol prior to arrest. The total number of all police apprehensions in the fiscal 2008/09 year was 233,125.
• On an average day: (2008/09 Fiscal year)
     - 52 individuals are either driven home or detained in Police custody due to their state of intoxication.
     - 340 offences occur where Police note that alcohol was involved in the offending, including:
     - 30 offences for breach of a council’s liquor ban.
     - 100 offences for drink driving.
     - 8,764 breath tests are undertaken.
• alcohol is New Zealand's drug of choice
• the impacts of alcohol related offending accounts for 18 percent of the police budget, one in four traffic offences, one in five traffic crashes, one in two cases of serious violence, one in three cases of family violence.