By Triana O'Keefe, Editor – Australian Hotelier
The number of assaults in and around licensed premises in Grafton and Lismore, have more than halved since 2007 due to the hard work of hoteliers, police and the local communities, AHA NSW director of liquor and policing John Green said.
NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOSCAR) figures reveal assault rates in and around licensed premises in Grafton have fallen 59.25 per cent since 2007. The same rates in and around premises in Lismore have dropped 72.3 per cent during the same period. In fact, these figures are at their lowest levels since 1998.
Green said, while local publicans welcomed the “hands off” anti-violence campaign now running in the area it was important to acknowledge the work already being done.
“Hoteliers have been working hard with the local police and their communities to address the issue of violence in the community and we are seeing the results,” Green said.
“The drops in assaults in and around licensed premises in the Lismore and Grafton areas exceed overall assaults by far, and it shows what can be done when we all work together.
“However, more needs to be done around pre-loading and the dangerous mixing of alcohol and drugs.
“These are areas that need to be focused on and we welcome the local media’s interest in campaigns to reduce violence on our streets and in our homes,” he said.