“No Excuse”

1. “No Excuse” A joint initiative between NSW Police (Albury Local Area Command) and the Albury City Council

2. Dean St – Albury’s CBD

3. Licensed Premises by type In Albury and nearby Lavington there are: • 17 Hotels • 6 hotels in or within view of Dean Street • 6 hotels within short walk of Dean Street • 6 of the above are ‘late traders’ • 9 Registered Clubs • One major club in Dean Street near 2 late traders

4. Other Features • Albury situated on the NSW/Victoria border • A major regional centre with tourist attractions • 2 University campuses in Albury / Wodonga • Large army bases at Wodonga • Easy access from Sydney or Melbourne (only 3 hours from Melbourne) • Currently major infrastructure construction • Destination for sporting teams

5. Issues • Assaults in Dean Street and CBD • Problems with patrons • Refusal of service or entry • Ejection of patrons • ‘Lock-out’ • Perception of safety • Media reports • complaints

6. Programmes in Place • Viking Operations (high visibility police patrols) • Taxi security (one location) • Previously: Safer Times Round Albury/Wodonga for Women (STRAW) • Licensing enforcement (audits and inspections)

7. October 2005 • Disruption by groups from sporting teams • Liquor Accord meeting 25/10/05 to discuss issues • Discussion Paper on 2/11/05

8. Fail to Quit • The legislation could provide a cornerstone to underpin safety initiatives related to licensed premises within the Albury Local Area Command, but in particular to the Central Business District.

9. Fail to Quit Legislation • Issues • Easy to prove, easy to issue for responding police • Many people not aware of the existence of offence, or powers requiring to ‘quit’ or ‘refuse entry’ • Persons from interstate in particular not conversant with law or penalties • Licensees reluctant to call police to venue • Police reluctant to issue large fine to intoxicated person

10. Stages • Assessment • Surveys of patrons in Dean St on Friday or Saturday nights • Education • Posters, ads in newspaper, radio and perhaps TV • Enforcement • Issue of tickets • Evaluation • Survey / Statistical information

11. Initial Surveys • More than 50% surveyed attended at least once a fortnight • 20% attended more than once a week • 80% attended to go to a licensed premises • Over 50% said they would stay out til after 3am • Almost 65% would have more than 5 drinks. • 1/5 would have more than 10 drinks • 65% would have a drink before coming to CBD

12. Survey Results (cont) • 35% considered Dean St to be safe after dark • If simply asked was it a safe place to be after dark, 50% responded YES, 50% NO • If provided a qualifier on danger, people who did not think it safe were equally divided on whether the danger was dependent upon the time or who you were with and would not categorise simply ‘No it’s not safe’

13. Survey Results (continued) • 60% of those surveyed had witnessed a fight in Dean St in the previous 12 months • All believed licensees could ask a patron to leave • Most, but not all believed security or police could ask someone to leave • The average guess for fine applicable: $263 (Nov) and $426 (Dec) – most were guesses

14. Survey (continued) • 40% had witnessed refusal of entry or persons asked to leave a licensed premises • 40% had not witnessed this event • 20% had seen this more than once • Almost 50% felt security did a good job always or most of the time and over 30% believed they did a good job considering the circumstances • 20% believed security could do a better job

15. Survey Intoxication at time of survey: 12% sober 30% slightly affectetd 45% moderately affected 12% well affected Survey times: between 10.30pm and midnight

16. Education • Posters • Coasters • Newspapers

17. Television Ad (and Radio)

18. Enforcement Discussion of issue of infringements

19. Evaluation • There were less recorded alcohol related assaults in the Albury CBD in each of the months of November, December and January compared with the previous year, but not by a significant amount • There was a significant decrease in assaults recorded in hotels during November and December compared with the previous year

20. Evaluation Survey of licensees: Post campaign surveys conducted of 6 licensees in/near CBD. • 100% agreement the advertising was effective • 100% believed there was an increase in patron awareness • 100% believed there was a change in patron behaviour – 4 said ‘a noticeable change’

21. Licensee Survey When asked to define change or provide example: • “Patrons talked about it with me thinking it was a new law” • “People were more aware, they knew the terminology. Some would stop and think but not necessarily change their decisions” • “People arriving out of town were talking about it. There was a high awareness of the possible fine” • “Security and staff used the phrase ‘NO EXCUSE’” • “Patrons don’t argue as much when being asked to leave • “Compliance. The other day I just had to point to the poster”

22. Licensee Survey • 100% would like to see this campaign continue or a similar campaign with only 1 licensee qualifying this answer • 50% did not want to see any changes if continued • All nominated involvement or partnership arrangements as being important in continuing programmes (including contribution to costs)

23. Licensee Survey (cont) Overall impression of the campaign: • ‘Good’ • ‘Was good. Straight to the point’ • ‘Well organised and well put together. An example of cooperation between different parties’ • ‘Very positive’ • ‘Fantastic’ • ‘Absolutely fantastic. The best campaign ever.’

24. Issues Identified • Training for hotel staff • Training for security • Proofs of offence • Response • Assistance –Vs- Audit • Other strategies

25. Questions?