As part of Operation Capricorn up to 80 additional Police officers will be working on an alcohol focus tonight, a prevention activity to reduce harm caused by alcohol on the road, in public places and licensed premises. This will run again next Friday 19 December 2014 as the festive season gets underway in the District. Operation Capricorn will run through December and January in Canterbury District to reduce serious public place assaults and prevent road trauma to ensure the safe and efficient movement of traffic on Canterbury roads.
Inspector Derek Erasmus, who is leading tonight’s operation, says “In addition to normal policing in the District we will have a number of additional high profile checkpoints on the road and patrols in entertainment areas including licensed premises. Police staff will also issue crime prevention advice including how to keep yourself safe and getting home safely.”
“We have noticed that in previous years there has been a tendency for people to drink too much which not only puts themselves but others at risk too. We are sending a clear message to party goers this year so they understand what is acceptable and what is safe. We have run similar operations in previous years as in the lead up to Christmas and the New Year larger groups of people will be out socialising and celebrating. Police staff want to make sure everyone has a good time and gets home safely.”
Canterbury Police Alcohol Harm Reduction Manager Senior Sergeant Gordon Spite, said “We know that alcohol is a major contributor to crimes such as disorder, violence and sexual assaults. In New Zealand around a third of all recorded offences are committed after the offender has consumed alcohol. There is also a risk that when people overdo the alcohol they make poor decisions and end up becoming offenders or victims of crime or crashes”
The additional Police staff will be deployed from 2pm through to 4am on Saturday morning (13 December 2014) and checkpoints will be in operation targeting drink-driving.
“We take an ‘anytime anywhere’ policy on breath testing and every driver stopped in the District will be breath-tested. Police will be rigorously enforcing the new lower alcohol limits of 250mcg of alcohol per litre of breath and a zero alcohol limit for drivers under 20 years old” explains Canterbury Road Policing Manager, Inspector Al Stewart.
The new alcohol limit came into effect on 1 December 2014. In provisional data released today by New Zealand Police, five drivers were ticketed by officers between 1 -11 December 2014 using SMART devices for offences in the 250-400mcg bracket. However this figure is likely to rise in Canterbury District when all notices have been processed and official figures are released in the middle of January 2015.
“We’re calling on everyone to reflect on their drinking behaviour and the potentially tragic consequences. Make this festive season one to remember for the right reasons. If you’re planning on going to a Christmas party find alternative ways to get home such as sharing a taxi, using public transport or nominating a sober driver. Other than moderating your consumption of alcohol, drinking water and eating food regularly are the two most effective ways of controlling the effects of alcohol” said Senior Sergeant Spite.
Stay safe and please don’t become a statistic.
Some simple tips from Canterbury Police for safe festive celebrations:
• Plan your night out ahead of time. Have a plan for how you're going to get home, before you go out.
• Arrange safe transport to and from your location, whether it's a sober driver, taxi, bus or dial-a-driver.
• Go out as a group and stay together. Look out for your mates and make sure they stay safe.
• Don’t drink to excess – drink water and eat food at regular intervals.
• Don't drink and drive. Checkpoints will be operating anywhere, any time.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District. Mobile: 021 942 404