Hundreds arrested in binge drinking blitz

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 4:57p.m.

By Michael Morrah

Hundreds of people were arrested last night as part of an Australasian-wide crackdown on binge drinking.

Every year alcohol-related crime costs New Zealand more than $1billion, and in Australia it is more than $2billion.

Now, for the first time, police are making a coordinated effort to get tough on alcohol-related violence and crime in the lead up to Christmas.

For Auckland City Police, calls to alcohol-fuelled disorder are constant and varied.

It’s the habit of excessive drinking that led police in New Zealand and across the Tasman to get tough this weekend, especially on the streets around inner-city bars.

Those operating bars and clubs say police need to be careful that they don’t inflame the situation.

“New Zealanders are out having a good time, heavy handed policing has the potential to be an aggravator rather than a solution,” says Bruce Robertson, Chief Executive of the Hospitality Association.

But police say their methods are warranted, given the rate of crime and serious injuries where alcohol is involved.

On an average day in New Zealand, more than 60 people will be driven home by police or locked up because of intoxication. Around 100 people will drive drunk.

At a checkpoint in Panmure on Friday night, one man was caught drink driving for the sixth time.

“Unfortunately it’s not [unusual],” says Inspector Gavin McDonald. “There are a few people around with considerably more than that, and driving on our roads.”

Police in New Zealand are still working out how many people were arrested during last night’s blitz, but will continue with the operation tonight.

Across New South Wales, 333 people were taken into custody – the most serious incident was an assault on a police officer.

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