NSW: Operation Unite sends a strong message

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2009
NSW: Operation Unite sends a strong message

SYDNEY, Dec 13 AAP - The NSW government hopes more than 600 arrests in a weekend police
crackdown on alcohol-related crime will ram home one simple message ... "don't get smashed
and behave like a moron".

More than 1400 extra NSW police took part in Operation Unite across the state, as part
of a two-day nationwide blitz.

NSW Police nabbed 307 people on Saturday night, with 509 charges laid.

Over the course of the weekend, there were 640 arrests and 1025 charges laid, 374 for
drink driving.

The other charges ranged from assault and affray to drug possession.

Three police officers were also injured during the high-profile operation, including
an officer whose nose was fractured when king hit in Ryde on Friday night.

Notable incidents in Sydney on Saturday night included several brawls, a naked man
allegedly attempting to strangle his partner at The Rocks and a serious glassing in Ultimo.

Deputy Commissioner Dave Owens said he was disappointed at the numbers of people who
had clearly ignored police warnings in the lead up to the operation.

But he stressed that arrests were not the sole object of the operation.

"I can't arrest myself out of this problem," he told reporters in Sydney on Sunday.

"We cannot keep arresting people and think we're going to solve the problem.

"What it was about was starting a debate."

Mr Owens said he hoped people would start to change their behaviour and attitude towards alcohol.

"Friday night and Saturday night was about sending a message. It was about getting
people to start talking," he said.

"Now I know 640 people that are going to start talking.

"I know 640 families that have now got a message that to drink drive, to assault people
and anti-social behaviour is unacceptable."

Police Minister Michael Daley said while there were not enough resources to repeat
the operation every weekend, police will continue to focus on alcohol-related crime.

"We know that the community want us to keep doing more and we will," Mr Daley said.

"There's a very simple message from the community and from the government - go out,
have a few drinks and have a great time, but don't get smashed and behave like a moron
on your way home."

AAP sg/it

KEYWORD: BLITZ NSW UPDATE

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