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Alcohol Linking Project
Background
Excessive alcohol consumption contributes substantially to harm, including crime. In NSW, almost half of all alcohol is sold through licensed premises. Under the NSW Liquor Act, licensees are prohibited from supplying alcohol to intoxicated patrons or allowing intoxicated persons onto their premises. However, evidence shows that some licensees continue to allow such activity. Using the data from the Alcohol Linking Program (Linking) as intelligence, police link alcohol-related incidents to intoxication on specific licensed premises. The data are used to inform and educate licensees of their responsibilities, the consequences of intoxication on their premises and to enhance routine police enforcement strategies.
Aim and Objectives
The aim of the project is to reduce harm associated with alcohol consumption on licensed premises. Its objectives are to:
- Enhance recording and analysis of alcohol related crime by NSW Police.
- Enhance routine policing practices to improve responsible service of alcohol practices on licensed premises.
Implementation
In 2002, Linking was implemented in western NSW and the Hunter Region, resulting in a 13% reduction in alcohol related crime associated with targeted licensed premises. In partnership with NSW Police, the program is now in the final stages of being implemented as routine practice throughout NSW.
Police routinely ask the following questions of all people involved in incidents they attend:
- Did the person consume alcohol prior to the incident?
- If “yes”, police determine their level of intoxication and ask:
- Where did they last consume alcohol?
- If at a licensed premise: Which premises?
- If at a home/private residence, public place or non-licensed restaurant: Who purchased the alcohol?
- If “self” purchased: Where was the alcohol purchased?
Information from these questions is entered into the NSW Police computer system, monitored for quality and analysed to identify premises whose intoxicated patrons become involved in police–attended incidents. All licensees receive a letter informing them of the program; those linked to incidents receive a report of the incidents and those that demonstrate a trend of incidents involving high levels of intoxication receive a covert audit and follow up visits by police.
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