Tasmania Police will deploy 240 officers tonight and tomorrow night for Operation Unite: A Blitz Against Drunken Violence.

Operation Unite is a coordinated and high profile campaign across all police jurisdictions in Australia and New Zealand.

Tasmania Police has significantly increased its resources in the entertainment districts of Hobart, Launceston, Burnie and Devonport this weekend as part of the national campaign to highlight the consequences of excessive drinking.

“Tonight in Hobart we have allocated an additional 82 police, including the Commissioner Darren Hine and 48 trainees from the Police Academy, to patrol those areas where alcohol fuelled violence is most likely to occur,” said Commander Geoff Smith.

“Forty per cent of assaults occur between 5pm – 4am on Friday and Saturday nights, and most occur on or near a licensed premise. In about half of these incidents, the offender and the victim don’t know each other.

In Launceston there will be an additional 20 officers each night, and 23 additional police in Burnie and 21 officers in Devonport for Operation Unite.

“Our message is to think before you drink, and take responsibility for your own behaviour. If you’re heading out to pubs or clubs, look out for your friends,” said Commander Smith.

“The high profile police presence is about drawing the community’s attention to the problem of binge drinking. We need a change in drinking culture to make our streets safer for everyone.”

Tasmania Police Media
(03) 6230 2867