Assault rates on licensed premises in the Sydney Local Government Area dropped more than 15 per cent in the 24 months to March 2014, according to the latest figures released by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR).
The BOCSAR figures also reveal assault rates in licensed venues in Kings Cross had dropped more than 30 per cent in the same two-year period, while state-wide there was a drop of 5.6 per cent.
AHA NSW director of policing John Green said the figures pre-date the lockouts, last drinks and other restrictions introduced by the Government earlier this year.
"These figures back up what we have been saying for some time – that assault rates in licensed premises are actually dropping despite the anecdotal claims of various interest groups," he said.
"Hoteliers in the Sydney area – indeed right across NSW – have been working hard with police and their local communities to improve safety at venues for years – we are seeing the results in this latest round of independent figures."
"Unfortunately, the work of the venues never seems to be acknowledged, with more and more blanket measures imposed on all venues instead of targeting the rogue operators."
"Assault rates in and around licensed venues are at their lowest levels since the 1990s and we need to see some acknowledgement of that fact," said Green.