The first week of a Christchurch police focus on alcohol-related crime has netted a four-fold increase in arrests for liquor ban breaches.
Christchurch Central Senior Sergeant Glenn Nalder says police made a total of 75 arrests for breaches of liquor ban during the week.
"That's a significant increase on the usual number - more than four times the weekly average for the 2012/13 year so far," he says.
A number of liquor infringements offence notices were also issued people aged under 18 years old drinking in public. Several people were also arrested for disorderly behaviour in the Riccarton area.
Senior Sergeant Nalder says most of the 75 people arrested for liquor ban breaches were arrested in the Riccarton area, in particular the Hagley Park end of Riccarton Road.
A number of arrests were also made in the central city liquor ban area around Victoria Street.
"People need to remember that is against the law for anyone aged under 18 to drink in public and it is against the law for anyone to drink in public in a liquor ban area.
"It is also against the law to drink in a vehicle being driven in a liquor ban area.
"If people are going to drink alcohol in a liquor ban area they can expect to get arrested and they may be charged."
"Police will take a very low tolerance approach to behaviour that intimidates others and makes the general public feel unsafe," Senior Sergeant Nalder says.
"Fighting and other alcohol-induced behaviour will result in the person being arrested."
Police plan to continue frequent, high-visibility patrols with a focus on public place drinking in the lead-up to Christmas.
ENDS