Operation Summer: Auckland police out in numbers to reduce booze-fuelled harm

Stay safe in the city: Police have launched an operation to combat alcohol-fuelled problems in Auckland this summer. Photo / Peter Meecham

If you go down to the club this Christmas, you're in for a police surprise.

In a bid to reduce alcohol-related harm and violence in public places, Auckland City Police will be out in force to keep an eye on party and city-goers.

And they have a number of tips on staying safe - from looking after your mates to what to do if your drink is spiked or you are assaulted.

Operation Summer will run through until February and aims to put a stop to many of the alcohol-fuelled incidents over the silly season period.

Auckland City Police prevention manager Inspector Ben Offner said traditionally the CBD was a "focus point" for booze-related incidents.

And, based on historical trends, specific hotspots experience an increase in violence and disorder over the December and January period.

"It is essential that police are prepared to deal pro-actively with the anticipated increase in disorderly behaviour," Offner said.

Inspector Ben Offner says the CBD is traditionally a focus point for booze-related incidents. Photo / File

The weekends immediately before Christmas and New Year's Eve were especially demanding in central Auckland, Offner said, with "high levels of intoxication leading to disorder, violence and subsequent victimisations".

"We know that nearly a quarter of all public place assaults for Auckland City occur in the CBD during this period and we also know that 42 per cent of violence in public places occurs within a two-hour period between 2am and 4am on Saturday and Sunday mornings," he said.

"Traditionally, police have responded reactively to these situations. However, this year Operation Summer aims to pro-actively reduce incidents occurring in the first place."

Police from three different districts across Auckland will be patrolling the central city during Operation Summer.

Offner urged people to have fun - but take responsibility for their own actions and look after their friends.

"We encourage everyone to have a good time over the holiday period but to do it responsibly and know when enough is enough," he said.

"We will do what we can to harden our targets to discourage pre-loading of alcohol which we know contributes to violence and disorder.

"We will also be actively identifying intoxicated people.

"We will have high visibility at known hotspots and out on our roads too."

Operation Summer - staying safe in the city

Over the festive and New Year period, police will be encouraging revellers to be aware of their surroundings and take responsibility and look after each other.

They have a number of tips for party-goers to make sure everyone has a good time - and gets home safe and unharmed.

Some practical advice from police on how to stay safe when you're out and about over summer:

• If your friends are drunk at the end of the night, look after them and walk away from any potential confrontation. Walk away and avoid confrontations and calm your friends down, it's not worth the risk of becoming a victim.

• If you are going out to a pub, club or party make sure you plan ahead and plan how you are going to get home.

• Keep your drink close and don't give anyone the opportunity to tamper with it. If you notice a change in colour or taste don't drink it and if you start to feel drowsy tell a friend or someone you trust so they can look after you. Drink spiking is rare but it can happen and remember that water and fruit juice can also be spiked so be vigilant with all drinks.

• Travel home with your friends and only stay with people you know and trust.

• If you're hosting a party, have fun but make sure it doesn't get out of hand.
Keep the invitations to people you know and if you are serving young people under 18, you need express consent from their parents.

• If you're out and about at night always keep to well-lit areas. Keep bags containing valuables, wallets, purses etc close to your body and keep your cellphone where you can reach it. Walk close to the kerb and always walk facing the traffic.

We're all looking forward to the summer break so let's work together to keep ourselves, our friends and our community safe.