Operation Midnight hailed a success
ACT Policing’s Operation Midnight has been hailed a success following a high-visibility blitz of Canberra entertainment precincts and licenced venues on the weekend.
The joint operation last Saturday night (17 December, 2022) between ACT Policing and Access Canberra’s Liquor Licencing inspectors sought to target alcohol-fuelled violence, anti-social behaviour, the responsible service of alcohol, and impaired driving.
Nine people were taken into police custody for being intoxicated and disorderly, 13 were given exclusion notices, and two were arrested and charged for failing to comply with an exclusion notice.
ACT Road Policing also conducted 375 random breath tests across the evening, identifying two positive results – one of which was a learner driver who returned an oral fluid analysis of 0.144.
Officer in Charge of City Police Station, Detective Inspector Stephen Ladd said police were pleased with the behaviour of patrons across the evening.
“The most impressive thing from a police perspective is there were no substantial assault or violence offences identified across the night, and this appears to be due to the increased and constant police presence,” Detective Inspector Ladd said.
“This operation utilised resources from multiple ACT Policing portfolios, as well as our colleagues from Access Canberra, and shows how valuable collaborative operations of this nature can be.”
Access Canberra Executive Branch Manager Licensing and Registrations, Derise Cuban said Liquor Licencing Inspectors identified 28 instances of potential non-compliance breaches across six licenced premises.
“It’s important that liquor licensees understand and meet their obligations under the Liquor Act to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the Canberra community,” Ms Cubin said.
“We want to make sure everyone can enjoy a night out and get home safely this festive season.
“If Canberrans are concerned a venue is not demonstrating responsible service of alcohol, they can lodge a complaint via the access Canberra website www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au.”
Media enquiries
Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au
CMTEDD Media – 0466 937 557, CMTEDDMedia@act.gov.au