Reports by some media outlets that police are claiming legislative changes to curb alcohol fuelled violence “don’t go far enough” or that police are at “loggerheads” with the government on this issue are untrue.

SA Police has flagged a number of changes they’d like to see as part of a package of reforms to help resolve this major cultural issue.

At the heart of these changes is a call for a break in the 24 hour trade of alcohol.

Yesterday on ABC radio Commissioner Gary Burns made his position very clear:

“The end game for us would be a safer community … we’re one stakeholder in all the issues around alcohol fuelled violence … from our perspective it’s the safety of the community that drives us.

We think there should be a break in trading.  24 hour trading can lead to a lot of problems.

We would like to see, say, 3am closing, the Government is looking at 4am closing, which I think goes a long way to making some concession and getting that break in trading.”

SA Police is working closely with the Government and Liquor Licensing Commissioner on changes.