Mr HIGGINS - 2014-03-27
Can you outline for the Assembly any recent figures provided by Territory police on their successful use of temporary beat locations to target alcohol misuse?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. He is interested in finding out about the success, or otherwise, of Operation Leyland, which is the enforcement of a full lockdown at every takeaway outlet in Alice Springs. It is a targeted operation aimed at problem drinkers who purchase takeaway grog with the intent of consuming it in protected areas. It is also about those who might wish to consume top-up grog, as I call it. This is, going in for your second round of alcohol throughout the day, which, anecdotally, causes a range of social upheaval issues in many areas in the Northern Territory.
A temporary Police Beat location has been set up outside every Alice Springs takeaway for every hour of trade, seven days a week, for the duration of Operation Leyland. The intent is to reduce the consumption of alcohol in restricted areas and further reduce alcohol-fuelled violence and antisocial behaviour in Alice Springs.
The results have been impressive so far. During the operation’s first two weeks, police reported a 24% reduction in incidents compared to the same period last year. They have also reported a 54% reduction in assaults.
Let us review this. Assaults have more than halved since Operation Leyland began. This is more evidence to show targeting specific hot spots and problem areas is getting results. It is undertaking a ‘prevention rather than cure’ approach and ensuring we provide the most amount of protection we can, especially for women in Central Australia.
By contrast, Labor sought to inconvenience everybody with blanket rules such as a Banned Drinker Register, which did not work. Since the removal of the Banned Drinker Register, we have seen a drop of wholesale alcohol supply of 4% across the Northern Territory and, where Operation Leyland is occurring, a reduction of 7% in wholesale alcohol supply.
Police are reporting similar success with temporary Police Beat locations in Tennant Creek and Katherine. In Katherine, temporary Beat locations - the member for Katherine is interested in this - began on Thursday and Friday of last week at five takeaway outlets. The results are encouraging: in total, 239 L of alcohol was seized and destroyed; two people were taken into protective custody; four people were nabbed for breaching APOs; two people were arrested for breaching their bail; four were arrested on warrants; four were arrested for drink-driving; 11 traffic infringements were issued; and there was one liquor infringement handed out.
Already, we are starting to see a reduction in crime in Katherine and we are trying to ensure there is greater amenity for residents there - those who seek a safe and harmonious environment and society - and provide a more supportive environment for tourists who travel through Katherine.
The member for Katherine has said early success looks good. We have to get the numbers and statistical data, not rely on early numbers, but it is a positive outcome. It is the way we can provide protection to women across the Northern Territory.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Daly for his question. He is interested in finding out about the success, or otherwise, of Operation Leyland, which is the enforcement of a full lockdown at every takeaway outlet in Alice Springs. It is a targeted operation aimed at problem drinkers who purchase takeaway grog with the intent of consuming it in protected areas. It is also about those who might wish to consume top-up grog, as I call it. This is, going in for your second round of alcohol throughout the day, which, anecdotally, causes a range of social upheaval issues in many areas in the Northern Territory.
A temporary Police Beat location has been set up outside every Alice Springs takeaway for every hour of trade, seven days a week, for the duration of Operation Leyland. The intent is to reduce the consumption of alcohol in restricted areas and further reduce alcohol-fuelled violence and antisocial behaviour in Alice Springs.
The results have been impressive so far. During the operation’s first two weeks, police reported a 24% reduction in incidents compared to the same period last year. They have also reported a 54% reduction in assaults.
Let us review this. Assaults have more than halved since Operation Leyland began. This is more evidence to show targeting specific hot spots and problem areas is getting results. It is undertaking a ‘prevention rather than cure’ approach and ensuring we provide the most amount of protection we can, especially for women in Central Australia.
By contrast, Labor sought to inconvenience everybody with blanket rules such as a Banned Drinker Register, which did not work. Since the removal of the Banned Drinker Register, we have seen a drop of wholesale alcohol supply of 4% across the Northern Territory and, where Operation Leyland is occurring, a reduction of 7% in wholesale alcohol supply.
Police are reporting similar success with temporary Police Beat locations in Tennant Creek and Katherine. In Katherine, temporary Beat locations - the member for Katherine is interested in this - began on Thursday and Friday of last week at five takeaway outlets. The results are encouraging: in total, 239 L of alcohol was seized and destroyed; two people were taken into protective custody; four people were nabbed for breaching APOs; two people were arrested for breaching their bail; four were arrested on warrants; four were arrested for drink-driving; 11 traffic infringements were issued; and there was one liquor infringement handed out.
Already, we are starting to see a reduction in crime in Katherine and we are trying to ensure there is greater amenity for residents there - those who seek a safe and harmonious environment and society - and provide a more supportive environment for tourists who travel through Katherine.
The member for Katherine has said early success looks good. We have to get the numbers and statistical data, not rely on early numbers, but it is a positive outcome. It is the way we can provide protection to women across the Northern Territory.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016