Fears trading hour changes moving problems elsewhere
Posted
A Newcastle community group says drastic changes to trading hours at inner-city hotels is pushing the problem of antisocial behaviour to other areas.
Police say late-night crime in Newcastle is down nearly 40 per cent since the Liquor Administration Board enforced a new curfew and closing time.
They are now pressuring hoteliers in the Hamilton CBD to voluntarily adopt the same changes.
At a briefing to Newcastle council last night, Tobie O'Shea-Anderton from the Save Our Newcastle Group told councillors that will only exacerbate the problem.
"I am concerned that this curfew has already pushed the problem of violence to Hamilton and putting a curfew in Hamilton will only see the same happen. Pushing the problem to another area can only serve to worsen the problem."
But acting area commander Jim McArthur says police understand the concerns, but will not be deterred.
"We want it to align with what's happening in the CBD. We want it consistent," he said.
"The 1:30 curfew and the the 3:30 lockout. We're very conscious if we start to put restrictions on hotels in the central business district or in Hamilton that problem may move. We're conscious of that and we'll ensure that doesn't happen by placing restrictions as we see them necessary."
