Operation Unite is due to commence again tonight (Friday 17 December) with ACT Policing out in force as part of the Australia-wide operation.
Operation Unite is a combined policing operation conducted across Australia and New Zealand targeting alcohol misuse, violence and anti-social behaviour.
Deputy Chief Police Officer Bruce Hill said that Operation Unite demonstrates a united purpose of police to challenge alcohol-related crime and violence, anti-social behaviour and the resolve to achieve change.
“Operation Unite is about cracking down on alcohol misuse and making people feel safe. Alcohol misuse is a major issue across Australia and together with the community we need to work to develop solutions which this operation is part of,” Commander Hill said.
“Operation Unite is about challenging the culture of drinking to excess. A police presence alone won’t change the ‘drink-to-get-drunk’ attitude. The message this weekend is for people to take responsibility for how much they drink and their own behaviour. Drinking to excess can have a number of implications on the individual and the community. When violence and crime is involved, those implications and resulting consequences can be life-altering,” he said.
The police action over the weekend will involve ACT Policing’s intelligence-led Alcohol Crime Targeting Team which will be attending a number of licensed premises in conjunction with the Office of Regulatory Services.
The newly formed team began operation on 1 December coinciding with the ACT Government’s liquor legislation reforms. The new legislation includes increased police powers for issuing on-the-spot fines for offences such as refusing to leave a licensed premises after being requested by bar staff, supply of alcohol to a friend or someone who is intoxicated, abusing/arguing with bar staff if the bar staff refuse to serve alcohol.
Operation Unite continues throughout the weekend.
They’re also talking about health worker support and seventeen new officers.
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