Joint operation to reduce harm caused by alcohol abuse
Northland District
Headquarters
Walton Plaza,
Whangarei
Thursday December 6,
2012
Northland Police will be out in force on
the roads and streets this weekend in an effort to reduce
the harm caused by alcohol abuse.
The patrols are part of
Operation Unite, a joint operation between New Zealand and
Australian police to target alcohol harm.
The operation
runs from 6pm to 6am on Friday and Saturday nights, which
are the risk times for alcohol intoxication requiring police
and other agency intervention.
During this time staff from
Traffic Alcohol Group (TAG), Highway Patrol, and frontline
staff will be carrying out preventative activities around
Northland.
These will include checking licensed premises
and party venues, carrying out foot patrols, and holding
compulsory breath testing checkpoints.
Northland Road Policing Manager Inspector Murray Hodson says at least a third of recorded violence offences and family violence incidents in 2009/10 were committed where the offender had consumed alcohol prior to committing the offence.
"Alcohol
is also a significant factor in public disorder offences and
fatal or serious injury crashes.
This is unacceptable and
there are many people in our communities suffering from the
effects of alcohol abuse."
Mr Hodson says youth continue to be a high risk group around alcohol, often preloading on cheap drinks prior to heading into town where they become potential victims and offenders.
"We will be carrying out
hotel visits this weekend to ensure liquor licence holders
are complying with the Sale of Liquor Act and, in
particular, are not serving underage drinkers.
Duty
Managers must ensure that intoxicated people are not served
and that, as part of host responsibility, they have a decent
amount of food available when serving alcohol."
Mr Hodson says drink driving is still a major problem in Northland and if people choose to get behind the wheel of a car after drinking alcohol then they will get caught or, worse, end up killing or seriously injuring other road users.
"So be
aware, Police will be out in force this weekend and we will
have a zero tolerance to any poor behaviour related to
alcohol
use."
ENDS