Assault rates on licensed premises in the South West Slopes area have dropped by 63 per cent since 2008, John Green said during a visit to Young on Tuesday.
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“In the Young Local Government Area (LGA) figures are down 29.4 per cent over that period,” he said.
The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) NSW director of liquor and gaming was in town for the South West Slopes sub-branch meeting at the Empire Hotel with local hoteliers.
About 20 people from 10 hotels in Young, Cootamundra, Boorowa and Bowning attended the event.
The meeting covered a range of local issues, including new outdoor smoking legislation and assault levels falling in licensed venues in the area.
Mr Green - a former police officer - said independent Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research in the area covered by the AHA NSW South West Slopes sub-branch showed assault rates at venues were down 63.4 per cent.
Statewide the figure has dropped by 39 per cent, sitting at its lowest levels in more than 17 years.
“In the Gundagai LGA they are down 25 per cent and in Tumut a massive 73.9 per cent,” Mr Green said.
“Obviously, we are coming off a lower base than in larger urban centres but this is a great result and shows what can be achieved when regional communities work together at the local level to address issues.”
Mr Green said Young’s percentage showed local hotels had been working with local police and the Young community.
He said local publicans would continue to target those few who insisted on doing the wrong thing and wrecking a night out for everyone.
“For the small numbers that misbehave, the message is clear – play up in a venue and you’ll be asked to leave,” he said.
“Commit an offence or refuse to leave and police will be called - it’s that simple.”
At Tuesday’s meeting, local hoteliers also had a number of questions regarding the new smoking laws and how it would impact their businesses.
From July 6, patrons will not be allowed to smoke in outdoor commercial dining areas.
“Some people may like to have a smoke with their meals, they won’t be able to do that now,” Mr Green said.
Patrons also won’t be allowed to smoke within four metres of an entrance to a hotel.
“So people don’t have to walk through a corridor of smoke,” Mr Green said.