M.A Yousuf, Editor in Chief: Each quarter, the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) releases crime statistics for all council areas across the state.

Crime and Justice Bulletin No. CJB263 mention that, restricting trading hours can substantially reduce the risks associated with acute alcohol intoxication and can be an effective crime reduction strategy when combined with enforcement that targets the small number of premises that account for most of the harm.

Canterbury-Bankstown: Steal from motor vehicle (up 33.1%) and steal from retail store (up 37.7%).

“The increase in steal from a motor vehicle is a direct result of higher petrol prices. Whenever petrol prices rise, number plate theft goes up. Thieves put stolen number plates on their own vehicle to avoid identification when they drive into service stations, fill up and drive off without paying for their fuel.”

“The increase in incidents of abduction/kidnapping is disturbing but the upward trend has actually brought the offence back to its long term level after unusually low figures were recorded in the latter half of 2009 and the first half of 2010.”

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) National Drug Strategy Household Survey that, among Australians aged 14 years and over, 21% had experienced at least one incident of either physical abuse, verbal abuse or being put in fear by someone under the influence of alcohol in the past 12 months.

Alcohol-Related Violence: An incident of physical abuse, verbal abuse or being put in fear, in which the perpetrator or victim reports that alcohol use contributed to the violence.

Physical Abuse: An act which causes pain and/or injury to the victim.

Put in Fear: Feeling threatened and/or afraid for one’s personal safety due to the actions, speech or behaviour of another.

Under the Influence of Alcohol: There is no single objective standard for being under the influence of alcohol. Similarly, data sources used in the NADK do not provide a definition of this term. It is popularly understood as referring to an individual who has consumed enough alcohol to impair their mental, physical, and/or cognitive faculties. However, definitions and standards may vary between jurisdictions, sectors and organisations.

Verbal Abuse: Speech which is designed to humiliate, degrade, demean, intimidate, or subjugate (including the threat of physical violence).

There is strong evidence of an association between the consumption of alcohol and violence. Conservative estimates suggest that in 2004–05, the total costs attributable to alcohol-related crime in Australia was $1.7b; the social cost relating to alcohol-related violence (which excludes costs to the criminal justice system) was $187m; and the costs associated with the loss of life due to alcohol-related violent crime amounted to $124m (Collins & Lapsley 2007).

National surveys of alcohol use and victimisation provide further evidence of the impact of alcohol-related violence. According to the National Drug Strategy household Survey (NDSHS), in 2007 approximately:

1 in 4 Australians were a victim of alcohol-related verbal abuse

13 percent were made to feel fearful by someone under the influence of alcohol

4.5 percent of Australians aged 14 years or older had been physically abused by someone under the influence of alcohol (AIHW 2008).

Restricting alcohol trading hours can substantially reduce rates of violence and relaxing trading hours has the opposite effect, according to the first systematic review of alcohol trading hours and violence in more than five years.

“From reviewing the evidence, the message is clear − the more you restrict alcohol trading hours, the more you reduce violence,” said lead author Claire Wilkinson from Melbourne’s Centre for Alcohol Policy Research at La Trobe University.

“The findings of this systematic review are strong enough for us to recommend Governments make restrictions on late trading hours for bars and hotels, a central plank in any strategy to reduce late-night violence. We analysed 21 Australian and international studies for this review and the weight of evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of restricting alcohol trading hours in combating violence.

“A study from Newcastle for example, found a 37% reduction in assaults in the city between 10 pm and 6 am following the introduction of trading restrictions in 2008. In Sydney, assaults were down between 26% and 32%, following the NSW Government’s ‘last drinks’ and ‘lockout’ laws introduced in 2014.

“Evidence from abroad was also compelling. One Norwegian study found each one-hour reduction in trading hours was associated with a 16% drop in recorded assaults, and a Dutch study found a 34% increase in alcohol-related ambulance attendances following the extension of trading hours in two entertainment precincts in Amsterdam.”

Around 1 in 5 Australians have been verbally or physically abused, or put in fear by someone under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol consumption remains one of the single biggest risk factors for violence in the community, and almost doubles the risk of family and domestic violence.

Government announces immediate restrictions on alcohol sales in Alice Springs to quell crime spike, Suprovat Sydney welcome & thanks to our PM. Hon. Anthony Albanese also outlined $50m in funding and appointment of central Australian regional controller to coordinate law-and-order plan. We need that same restrictions in all over Australia including Canterbury-Bankstown. There will be takeaway alcohol-free days on Monday and Tuesday and alcohol-reduced hours on other days, with takeaways allowed between 3pm and 7pm and a limit of one transaction per person each day, Fyles said. The chief minister said the “data has settled” and it is clear that harms have risen since the previous federal government decided to allow intervention-era alcohol restrictions under the Stronger Futures legislation to lapse mid-2022.

The consumption of alcohol has had a large and negative impact on the health and welfare of Australian society. Alcohol consumption in Australia is the highest per person of all English speaking countries and 15th among all countries.’

Crime has dropped in Alice Springs but experts divided on whether alcohol bans are effective. New internal figures from Northern Territory police show a significant drop in crime in Alice Springs since the re-introduction of alcohol restrictions, but experts are divided on whether the bans have been effective.

In late January, a suite of immediate measures restricting alcohol sales was launched, including trialling takeaway alcohol-free days on Monday and Tuesday and limiting trading hours to 3-7pm on other days, excluding Saturdays.

A month on, new data shows break-ins are down 45 per cent and there has been a 30 per cent decrease in domestic violence and a 36 per cent decrease in youth disturbances.

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker says there has been a reduction in incidents across the community since the bans came into effect.

“There is no doubt that our antisocial behaviour in our family and domestic violence and assaults have reduced markedly — the statistics are very clear with that,” he said.

“There’s a whole lot of other indicators here that can clearly show that there’s been a reduction of harm in the community.”

Domestic violence calls were down more than 30% in the three months since the restrictions were brought in, with 390 calls for police assistance at domestic violence incidents from 30 January to 27 February and a stark reduction in alcohol-related domestic and family violence incidents.

Levels of property break-ins were down by nearly 46% and youth offences were down by 36% after the alcohol restrictions were brought.

Prime Minister Hon. Anthony Albanese MP shall implement same law & order each and every single City or and suburb for the safety for the community. NSW government can start thinking very seriously to make our home 100% safe & secure by implements alcohol sales time restriction.

MODIFIED AS BELOW: final

It’s clear from the provided information that there’s a strong correlation between alcohol consumption and various forms of crime, including theft, assault, domestic violence, and disturbances. The statistics from both the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) and the Northern Territory Police Commissioner highlight the significant reduction in crime following the implementation of alcohol restrictions.

Restricting trading hours for alcohol sales has been shown to be an effective strategy in reducing alcohol-related harm and associated crime. The evidence cited, including studies from Australia and abroad, consistently demonstrates the positive impact of restricting trading hours on reducing violence and antisocial behaviour.

The immediate measures taken in Alice Springs, including alcohol-free days and limited trading hours, have led to substantial decreases in crime, including a 45% reduction in break-ins, a 30% decrease in domestic violence, and a 36% decrease in youth disturbances. These results indicate the effectiveness of such measures in creating safer communities and reducing the burden on law enforcement agencies.

Given the success of these measures in Alice Springs and the evidence supporting the effectiveness of alcohol trading restrictions in reducing crime, there’s a strong argument for implementing similar measures in other cities and suburbs across Australia. This would require concerted efforts from both federal and state governments to address alcohol-related harm and prioritize community safety.

The issue of alcohol consumption and its impact on society, particularly in Australia, is indeed a significant concern. The high level of alcohol consumption in Australia, as noted, has various negative consequences for health, social welfare, and crime rates.

The fact that alcohol consumption in Australia is among the highest per person of all English-speaking countries and ranks 15th globally underscores the severity of the issue. Alcohol consumption is associated with a range of health problems including liver disease, cardiovascular issues, mental health disorders, and increased risk of accidents and injuries.

Furthermore, alcohol abuse contributes to various social issues such as family breakdowns, domestic violence, homelessness, and financial strain. Addressing alcohol-related problems requires a multifaceted approach that includes both preventive measures and effective intervention strategies.

It’s crucial for policymakers to carefully evaluate the impact of alcohol-related interventions, considering not only short-term changes in crime rates but also broader societal factors such as public health outcomes, community well-being, and economic implications. Additionally, comprehensive approaches that address underlying factors contributing to excessive alcohol consumption, such as social inequalities, cultural norms, and access to support services, are essential for creating lasting positive change.

Regarding alcohol sales time restrictions, such measures have been implemented in various places around the world with the aim of reducing alcohol-related harm and promoting public safety. These restrictions typically involve limiting the hours during which alcohol can be sold, with the intention of curbing excessive drinking and associated problems such as violence, accidents, and public disturbances.

If you believe such measures would benefit our community, it’s worth discussing them with local authorities and policymakers. They would need to carefully consider the potential impact on businesses, consumers, and social dynamics before implementing any new regulations.

MSW government need start to think about it, it’s worthy and beneficially for the entire community.

As for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese MP, while he holds significant influence at the federal level, matters related to law enforcement and alcohol sales restrictions often fall under the jurisdiction of state and territory governments. Therefore, it would be more appropriate to address these concerns to the relevant state authorities, such as the New South Wales government, for further consideration and action.