Violent city hotspots some of the most liquored up

Violent city hotspots some of the most liquored up

A Newshub investigation has revealed some of the most violent city hotspots in the country are also some of the most liquored up.

With the help of Statistics New Zealand and using 2015 police crime data, Newshub mapped violent incidents in public places.

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Three of the top 10 worst locations for robberies, assaults and sex attacks in urban areas (with populations over 3000) are in Auckland's CBD, with 1178 people falling victim to violent crimes within a 3.5 kilometre area in 2015.

When Auckland Council data was used to map liquor licenses in that area it showed more than 400 alcohol licences across the Auckland hot spots including pubs, restaurants, and clubs.

Violent city hotspots some of the most liquored up

 Auckland police crime prevention manager Inspector Gary Davey thinks that's excessive.

 "There are too many bars and there is too many people drinking too much alcohol leading to violence."

He says licensed premises are one of the core issues when it comes to fighting, disorder and harm in the central city.

"They are the flame, [and it's like] moths to the flame."

Inspector Davey acknowledges some punters are pre-loading but says they're still heading into the city to keep drinking.

Deputy Police Commissioner Mike Clement has a simple mantra when it comes to alcohol-fuelled nights on any town: "nothing good happens after three o'clock in the morning".

At the moment 53 percent of on-licences in Auckland's city centre are open past 3am.

The downward slide into violence and drunken disorder starts any time from midnight to 1am, according to the police and ambulance service.

The police are currently fighting Auckland Council for a six year moratorium on all liquor licences stretching across the CBD trouble spots.

They also want a one way door policy from 1am meaning licensed premises would have to stop letting people in from that time, although they would be able to continue serving alcohol for longer. 

Inspector Davey says research shows for every hour they pull bar closing times back "there will be a 12 to 17 percent drop in alcohol-related harm".

Hospitality NZ's Auckland vice president Russell Gray opposes any freeze on licenced premises.  And

Mr Gray, who's responsible for six licenced premises in Auckland's CBD, utterly refutes any suggestion that longer opening hours contribute to alcohol related harm.

"There is absolutely no correlation between the numbers of licensed premises, particularly on-licence premises, and alcohol-related harm or issues in the community."

But Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement says that view amounts to "burying their heads in the sand".

Russell Gray contends it's far better for people to be drinking in the supervised on-licence environment with trained staff and measured pours, than "drinking cheap booze" from off-licences.

He describes Auckland as "an international city that prides itself on a show that never stops" and says people need to take more personal responsibility for their actions and behaviour.

Newshub.