New police operation kicks off

IF you are planning to go out and have a few drinks this weekend, be warned – police will be out in force across the Clarence Valley.

Operation Unite kicks off today with police targeting alcohol misuse, violence and anti-social behaviour.

Not restricted to just licensed premises, police action will involve overt and covert licensing operations as well as random breath testing, the dog squad and other specialist commands.

Coffs Clarence Local Area Commander Mark Holahan said all available police resources would be deployed during the two-day operation.

“People can expect to expect to see an increased police presence across the whole Coffs/Clarence command, particularly around licensed premises,” Commander Holahan said.

“Some hotels in the Clarence Valley are starting to emerge as areas of concern for the local police so we will have an increased police presence around those premises.

“We will be particularly targeting those premises that trade a little later and cause problems for us.”

Commander Holahan warned revellers police were under specific instruction to put a stop to alcohol-related crime.

“Police will take a firm approach to tackling alcohol-related crime and violence and offensive behaviour,” he said.

“Alcohol continues to be the greatest driver of crime in our community.”

The inaugural Operation Unite conducted in December resulted in 640 people being charged with 1025 offences in NSW.

A heavier police presence on NSW roads during the 2009 operation resulted in 48,162 drivers being breath tested with 374 being charged with drink driving.

The operation is part of a Trans-Tasman initiative to curb the escalating statistics of alcohol-related crime.

According to a report released last month by the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation, alcohol-fuelled crime costs the country $36 billion annually.

National Operation Unite spokesperson, NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, said police required community assistance to reduce alcohol-related crime.

“We have had some success in reducing alcohol-related crime, but this is not an issue we can arrest our way out of – it will take a whole of community effort,” he said.