Data for 2001-07 from the Alcohol Action in Rural Communities (AARC) project show a peak in alcohol-related malicious damage incidents and assaults in Inverell this time of year. Inverell Police Inspector Rowan O’Brien said police would be targeting alcohol-related crimes through regular patrols, at hotels, clubs and events in town.

“There will be high visibility policing on both Friday and Saturday nights,” Inspector O’Brien said.

“We will be prioritising areas in and around licensed premises and alcohol free and prohibited zones. I stress that it is important that Inverell residents who do decide to drink on this weekend do so responsibly and have pre-organised a safe way to get home.”

The AARC intervention also involves Inverell Shire Council, licensees and local media. Inverell mayor Barry Johnston has written to hotels, clubs, and bottle shops in Inverell requesting that licensees be extra vigilant in their responsible service of alcohol and to actively liase with police this weekend.

Tattersalls Hotel licensees Kayleen Rollings and Craig Adams said they would be on high visibility alert this weekend.

“But we are always aware of what people are doing in the hotel because the safety and enjoyment of our patrons is our number one priority,” Miss Rollings said. “We are always vigilant with our responsible service of alcohol and this weekend will be the same.”

After the weekend, AARC will be working with the police to measure whether there was a reduction in alcohol related crime.

“As Inverell takes on new programs, we will be able to determine whether they are having an impact in reducing harms experienced by residents,” AARC research officer Stephanie Love said. “We are grateful for support from all of those involved in helping us increase safety for our patrons at this high risk time.”