Celebrate Cup and Show Week - but be responsible

Christchurch Police are encouraging Cup and Show Week revellers to have a great time celebrating this week - but to be responsible when it comes to alcohol.

"We want to ensure that everyone has a great Cup and Show Week," says Senior Sergeant Glenn Nalder of Christchurch Central Police.

"If there's one thing that will help everyone enjoy the week safely, it's to go easy on the alcohol.

"We're encouraging racegoers and those out celebrating this week to plan their activities to be responsible with alcohol and to include taxis or sober drivers in their plans.

"Alcohol is a major driver of crime and crashes and it poses an extra risk around events like Cup and Show Week.

"We will be stepping up our focus on alcohol-related offending this week - in particular actively enforcing public place drinking laws in an effort to reduce the inevitable crime and disorder that follows.

"Liquor ban areas will be vigorously patrolled and anyone caught breaching a liquor ban can expect to be arrested and may be charged.  That includes people drinking in vehicles if that vehicle is in a liquor ban area.

"Anyone under 18 years old drinking in public, anywhere, can expect to receive a $200 infringement notice."

Senior Sergeant Nalder says revellers need to remember that it is an offence to drink alcohol on buses and in taxis.

"Licensees are also reminded that it is particularly important this week to ensure they are complying with the Sale of Liquor Act.  A low tolerance approach will be taken in respect of any Sale of Liquor Act breaches.

"Police will have an overt and covert presence in many licensed premises."

The current alcohol focus by Christchurch Police is continuing to produce a steady stream of arrests.

Last week 115 people were arrested for breaching liquor bans - the highest weekly total since the alcohol focus began on 1 October. In addition 43 people were arrested for disorderly behaviour, and 55 taken into custody for drunkenness.           

In the first five weeks of the campaign, which will continue until Christmas, 437 arrests have been made for breaches of the liquor ban, 167 for disorderly behaviour and 278 for drunkenness.

"It's disappointing to see such high numbers coming through for alcohol offending - but every one of those arrests is a potential crime or road fatality averted."