Kapiti Police take strong line to prevent alcohol-related harm

Kapiti Police are extremely happy with the decision of the Liquor Licensing Authority (LLA) to not renew the on-licence for the Retro Bar in the Kapiti Lights Complex.

Police, the Kapiti Coast District Council and Regional Public Health (RPH) opposed the renewal of the Retro Bar's on-licence and a three day hearing held early last month.

Sergeant Jacquie Muir of the Kapiti Police says "the Authority has today released it's reserved decision. They say they are not satisfied that this licensee has the will, initiative or judgmental ability to continue to operate these premises without liquor abuse problems occurring."

"In March this year, we advised the licensees of the Retro Bar, and one other Tavern in the Kapiti Lights area, that we were closely monitoring them to ensure their obligations under the Sale of Liquor Act were being met.

"Following serious concerns about alcohol-related harm, one bar immediately made improvements.

"The Retro did not, so it was no surprise this ended up in an application to the Licensing Authority."

Sergeant Muir says the LLA decision is a fair one. Police hope that this decision will contribute to a reduction in alcohol related harm and Police calls for service to the Kapiti Lights Complex.

"A huge amount of work has been underway for more than a year to reduce the harm caused by alcohol by a number of agencies within the Kapiti community.

"Today's decision and the recent introduction of an alcohol free zone between 9pm and 6am will go a long way towards reducing alcohol-fuelled disorder and offending throughout the Kapiti Coast."

Sergeant Muir says Police and partner agencies will continue to encourage safe drinking practices and safe drinking environments, where alcohol is moderated by the Sale of Liquor Act or parental supervision, to help change the Kapiti culture around alcohol, moderation and social responsibility.

It is about crime prevention she said, and alcohol is almost always a contributing factor in crime and associated disorder offences.

Police, RPH and Kapiti Coast District Council in Kapiti conducted a controlled purchase operation on Friday night.

Fourteen premises were visited by Police, seven were on and seven were off licensed.

One of those off licensed premises was visited twice after Police received information they were serving to minors.

A local Raumati Beach Four Square twice sold to a male volunteer aged 15 and a female volunteer aged 16.

The volunteers also made purchases at two local Raumati South Café's and a Tavern in Raumati Beach.

Sergeant Muir said "this is not good enough, and applications for suspension of licenses would be sent to the Liquor Licensing Authority for consideration".

She said Police would apply for cancellation of the Four Square license as this was not the only time they had failed during a Controlled Purchase Operation.

ENDS

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