NSW Police Force has joined its policing colleagues throughout Australasia in a targeted operation to crackdown on alcohol-related crime.

Operation Unite, a two-day police blitz targeting alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour, is conducted by police throughout Australia and New Zealand, with more than 1,300 additional officers deployed last night (Friday 7 December 2012), in NSW alone.

Police targeted licensed premises, transport hubs, roads, waterways and other hot spots across the state, with 273 people arrested and 480 charges laid.

Officers issued 517 move-on directions, including 178 for intoxication/disorderly conduct, and conducted almost 900 person searches.

In addition, almost 18,000 random breath tests were conducted across the state, resulting in 81 drink-driving charges.

Deputy Commissioner (Field Operations) Nick Kaldas said police were generally pleased with behaviour across NSW last night, but there were still people who didn’t know their limits.

“Despite the warmer weather, there appeared to be fewer incidents in Sydney CBD than we usually see at this time of year, but there were plenty of people out and about,” Deputy Commissioner Kaldas said.

“Unfortunately, police and paramedics still responded to numerous assaults and brawls, and assisted people who had drunk too much and were behaving irresponsibly.

“We had a brawl erupt outside a hotel in Castle Hill at the end of a birthday party that resulted in four people in hospital and three people in custody.

“This is exactly the type of behaviour we are trying to eliminate. It’s one thing to have a drink and a good time, it’s another to drink so much that you can’t control yourself or your behaviour.”

Last night in Ingleburn, police vehicles were struck with stones and bottles after responding to reports of a brawl on Barff Road.

Officers later returned with Fire and Rescue NSW when the group set fire to a lounge in the middle of the street.

“Local police, assisted by the Public Order and Riot Squad, managed to resolve the drunken dispute and get the residents back into their homes before anyone was injured.

“Unfortunately, a doorman at a pub in Petersham wasn’t so lucky. He had to be taken to hospital to be treated for a possible broken jaw and loss of teeth after being punched in the face for doing his job – refusing entry to someone who was too drunk.”

A 32-year-old man was arrested a short time later and charged with recklessly cause grievous bodily harm.

“At Oatley, a young man (aged 20) became aggressive toward police after being asked to leave a licensed premises where he had fallen asleep at his table. He ended up being arrested and charged for fail to quit, assault police, resist arrest and offensive language.”

Deputy Commissioner Kaldas said while many people know their limits, it is about time for everyone to take responsibility for themselves.

“We are the NSW Police, not the fun police. We have no objection to people going out, having a few drinks and a few laughs.

“It’s those people who choose to cross the line from acceptable, decent behaviour to drunken street thuggery, who put themselves on our radar during Operation Unite,” said Deputy Commissioner Kaldas.