Narrabri police have voiced concerns about an increase in alcohol-related offences and incidents, including drink-driving and brawls in licensed premises in recent weeks.

Police have urged people to ensure they do not drive while intoxicated and to behave in a manner that is not disruptive while attending local venues.

“We have noticed a decline of the general public around the consumption of alcohol and their behaviour while intoxicated,” Chief Inspector Robert Dunn told The Courier this week.

Chief Insp Dunn said while there is some responsibility on liencesed premises, people are ultimately responsible for their own behaviour.

“Don’t drink and drive. Make sure you have a ‘plan B’,” he said.

In response to recent incidents, police will focus on alcohol-related consumption practices and driving behaviour.

In one incident, a 23-year-old man was stopped on Rose Street, Wee Waa, for the purpose of a breath test at 10.30pm on Saturday, April 13. He returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.216, more than four times the legal limit.

When police stopped the vehicle, four passengers were inside.

A 18-year-old man was issued with a court attendance notice after being stopped by police on Cooma Road at 12.37am on Sunday, April 14.

The man, a P-plate driver, had a reading of .032.

Learner and P-plate drivers are required to have a zero blood alcohol limit.

Police stopped a 59-year-old woman on Barwan Street on April 7. She returned a blood alcohol reading of .148 and was issued with a court attendance notice.

Officers have also been deployed to brawls in licensed premises recently, with alcohol suspected as being a major contributing factor to these incidents.

Police were called to two Maitland Street licensed premises at the weekend following reports of brawls.

When police arrived at the scene at the first incident, at 12.06am on Saturday, crowds of people had dispersed around the area.

Police reviewed CCTV footage which showed a number of people engaging in a physical altercation.

A person was pushed through a window and furniture and other items were damaged during the incident.

Police are investigating the matter and are attempting to identify the persons involved.

At 12.40am on Sunday, police were again called to licensed premises in Maitland Street.

Upon arrival, a large group of people had gathered at the corner of Barwan and Doyle Streets.

Police reported that people had varying levels of intoxication and were verbally combative towards officers.

When police requested the crowd to disperse, most of the people in attendance complied.

However, a small number of people proceeded towards the taxi stand and continued to be argumentative with police.

Their behaviour also disrupted the general public, police reported.

Police are also investigating a vehicle crash at 1.21am on Saturday, April 6, in Maitland Street.

A white Toyota Hilux collided with a section of the roadway on Maitland Street and then a parked vehicle before flipping on to its roof.

The driver was ejected from the vehicle.

Police were alerted to the matter and attended the scene.

A 17-year-old boy was conveyed to Narrabri Hospital, with non-life threatening injuries, for mandatory blood testing.

Police started investigations into the matter and have interviewed licensed premises where the boy is believed to have visited.

Police are awaiting results of blood alcohol testing.

If anyone has information in relation to these incidents, they can contact Narrabri Police on 6792 7199 or CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.

 

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