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The Police Association of NSW is calling for reduced pub trading hours in an attempt to curb alcohol related violence against police officers.
The call to reduce trading hours for pubs comes after two police ended up in hospital over the weekend after they were attacked in alcohol fuelled incidents.
Police Association of NSW Vice President Scott Weber said evidence in Newcastle, where alcohol restrictions are already in place, highlights the need for similar initiatives to be introduced state-wide.
Mr Weber says the recently released statistics show that the number of assaults occurring after dark in Newcastle has been slashed by 29 per cent since a suite of alcohol trading restrictions were introduced.
“Thousands of police are assaulted each year by drunken idiots,” Mr Weber said.
“Even over the weekend we saw two officers end up in hospital after they were attacked while they were on duty. It’s got to the point where resources are being drained because so many officers are forced to take time out to recover from injuries caused by alcohol related assaults. It puts strain on every facet of the Force.”
The measures in place in Newcastle include lock-outs, compulsory closing times and restrictions on the sale of spirits after 10pm.
“The figures in Newcastle prove beyond doubt that this works. Innocent men and women – both police and members of the public – are being senselessly beaten every single day. Something needs to be done about,” Mr Weber said.
Source: Police Association of NSW