To the state’s north now, and cops have busted a number of bars and restaurants for allegedly selling alcohol to people who weren’t able to legally buy it and “permitting” indecent behaviour at their venues across the Kimberley.
The banned drinkers’ register is in place across the Kimberley and the Pilbara, which requires anyone who wants to buy takeaway liquor to hand over ID to be scanned by staff.
The staff then scan the list for anyone who has been placed on the banned drinkers register, and can refuse sale.
Police empty liquor seized during a crackdown in WA’s north.WA Police
Police said more than 150 banned drinking orders were issued following the crackdown in January, including workers at different outlets and restaurants across the tourist town.
Officers said they issued two infringement notices to retail workers at a restaurant-licensed premises in Cable Beach who are alleged to have sold takeaway alcohol to a banned drinker.
On another occasion, another outlet allegedly sold alcohol to a customer who had an “expired and unreadable” driver’s licence.
Police said they’d also issued infringements to a venue after a heavily intoxicated man was seen to “behave indecently” at their premises, and no one removed him.
Police also said they also ran operations targeting remote communities throughout January, and found “significant quantities” of alcohol was being moved between towns.
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“Recent enforcement activity has included seven barring notices, nine charges against patrons at licensed premises, eight charges for offences at liquor‑restricted premises, and 158 Banned Drinkers Orders issued across Broome, Derby and Fitzroy Crossing,” a WA Police spokesperson said.
Kimberley District Superintendent John Hutchison said getting alcohol off the street was an important step towards cracking down on violence in the region.
“Sly grogging activity destroys families and fuels violence in vulnerable communities,” he said.
“Anyone who thinks they can profit from that harm should expect to be caught. We are watching, we are intercepting, and we are dismantling these supply chains.”