Community Violence Reduction Project
The Community Violence Reduction Project is a joint initiative to reduce alcohol related violence in the central city and the flow-on effects in wider Christchurch. The project has been jointly funded by the Crime Prevention Unit, and the partner agencies of Christchurch City Council, NZ Police, the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB), and Community and Public Health.
The project employs two project support workers (both based with Community and Public Health): a Project Support Officer to support the development of new initiatives, and a Training and Monitoring Support Officer to up-skill licensed premise staff, and security staff around compliance with the Sale of Liquor Act.
Critical findings in relation to alcohol-related incidents in and around licensed premises are that:
- A small number of licensed premises account for most acts of violence.
- A majority of assaults increase after midnight and near closing times in a small number of venues with extended trading hours.
- The level of violence seems to increase as alcohol consumption increases because of extended trading hours.
- Between 75 and 90% of all weekend crime is attributable to alcohol
- Up to 70% of Emergency Department (ED) hospital admissions are attributable to alcohol
The following identified offences in the Christchurch metropolitan area, most typically involve alcohol (ALAC 2005):
- Robbery
- Assualts - minor, grievous and serious
- Sexual Affronts
- Disorder
- Intimidation/Threats
- Sexual Attacks
- Liquor Offences
- Wilful Damage
- Rape
Alcohol Accord
In October 2006, the 6 month pilot of an Alcohol Accord in the Christchurch central city was launched. 42 central city licensed premises holding 24 hour licenses and who were trading after 3 am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights signed the Accord committing to operating a ‘one way door' from 4 am in the morning. Other signatories to the Accord were DB Breweries, Hotel Association of New Zealand (HANZ), Ryan Security, First Direct Taxis, NZ Police, CDHB, and Christchurch City Council. This has recently been revised from 4am to 3am.
The Alcohol Accord was managed by an Accord Management Team made up of representatives of licensees, HANZ, Christchurch City Council, CDHB, New Zealand Police and other stakeholders.
Documents
Links
Alcohol Advisory Council (ALAC)
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