Operation Unite concludes

More than 1500 Police staff across the country took part in a weekend blitz against alcohol-fuelled crime and crashes.

On Friday (7 December), Police on both sides of the Tasman launched the sixth Operation Unite – a Blitz on Drunken Violence, which concluded yesterday (Sunday 9 December).

National Manager Road Policing, Superintendent Carey Griffiths said the operation had resulted in 448 arrests, 170 reported assaults, 135 license breaches, and 364 drink drive offences.

By comparison, during last year’s operation, there were 340 arrests, 94 assaults, 63 license breaches and 373 drink drive offences.

“If you look at the drink drive offences for example, that’s 364 people that we shared our roads with who put not only themselves and their passengers at risk, but every other innocent road user as well,” Mr Griffiths said.

During the operation, staff across all 12 New Zealand Police districts focused on alcohol-related offending, including drink driving, assaults, and licensing breaches, while Police in all Australian jurisdictions had the same focus.

Mr Griffiths said although the Operation had ended, Police would continue to maintain a very strong focus on alcohol related offending, particularly in the lead up to the festive season.

This included participation in ANZPAA's Operation Crossroads, which focuses on reducing road deaths and trauma over the holiday period. This will begin on 21 December (when many people will start travelling), through to 7 January 2013.

“Police across New Zealand will be out in force throughout the Christmas holiday season targeting drink driving, drunken behaviour and other alcohol related offending. However, alcohol abuse is not just a Police problem, it’s a community issue too. The challenge to all of as individuals, friends, families and whanau is to confront our drinking habits and do our part to stay safe, so that we can all be around to enjoy next Christmas.”