Perspectives on the Effectiveness of the Late Night Liquor Trading Lockout Legislative Provision

• Published date: 01 December 2012
• Date: 01 December 2012
• DOI: 10.1177/0887403411418104
• Subject Matter: Articles

Criminal Justice Policy Review

23(4) 465 –492

© 2012 SAGE Publications

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DOI: 10.1177/0887403411418104

http://cjp.sagepub.com

418104CJP23410.1177/088740341141810

4Palk et al.Criminal Justice Policy Review

1Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

Corresponding Author:

Gavan Palk, Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety—Queensland (CARRS-Q), School of

Psychology and Counselling, K Block Kelvin Grove Campus, Queensland University of Technology,

130 Victoria Park Road Kelvin Grove QLD 4059 Australia

Email: gavan.palk@qut.edu.au

Perspectives on the

Effectiveness of the

Late Night Liquor

Trading Lockout

Legislative Provision

Gavan Palk1, Jeremy Davey1, James Freeman1,

and Hannah Morgan1

Abstract

The effectiveness of “the lockout policy” integrated within a broader police enforcement

strategy to reduce alcohol-related harm, in and around late night licensed premises,

in major drinking precincts is examined. First response operational police (n = 280)

records all alcohol and non–alcohol-related incidents they attended in and around

late night liquor trading premises. A before and after study design is used, with

police completing modified activity logs prior to and following the introduction of

the lockout policy in two policing regions: Gold Coast (n = 12,801 incidents) and

Brisbane City/Fortitude Valley (n = 9,117 incidents). Qualitative information from

key stakeholders (e.g., police, security staff, and politicians; n = 20) is also obtained.

The number of alcohol-related offences requiring police attention is significantly

reduced in some policing areas and for some types of offences (e.g., sex offences,

street disturbances, traffic incidents). However, there is no variation for a number of

other offence categories (e.g., assault). Interviews with licensees reveal that although

all were initially opposed to the lockout policy, most perceived benefits from its

introduction. This study is the first of its kind to comprehensively examine the impact

of a lockout policy and provides supportive evidence for the effectiveness of the

lockout policy as integrating positively with police enforcement to enhance public

safety in some areas in and around late night liquor trading premises.

466 Criminal Justice Policy Review 23(4)

Keywords

alcohol policy, crime prevention policy, violence

Internationally, alcohol-related violence and drunken disorder is a major burden to the

community and has a substantial impact on police resources (Cookson, 1992; Davey

& French, 1995; Dingwall, 2006; Greenfeld, 1998; Pernanen, Cousineau, Brochu, &

Sun, 2002; Richardson & Budd, 2003). Currently the majority of drinking occurs in

bars and clubs whereby patrons leave venues intoxicated, leading to cases of violence

on the streets of high-density drinking venues (Doherty & Roche, 2003). Recent

research in Queensland (Australia) involving a large-scale study encompassing urban,

regional, and rural areas indicates that a substantial proportion of current police work

(i.e., 25%) involves attendance at alcohol-related incidents (Palk, Davey, & Freeman,

2007a, 2007b, 2007c).

Currently police enforce alcohol-related crime using the following key mecha-

nisms: enforcing the liquor licensing laws and responding to drunk, disorderly and

offensive behavior, and taking action to reduce the risk (Doherty & Roche, 2003).

However, these police enforcement strategies are limited due to the difficulties in

obtaining successful prosecutions, operationalizing police enforcement activities,

licensing laws, and due to a dilution of officer knowledge and skills in the area

(Doherty & Roche, 2003). It is, therefore, suggested by policing research (Doherty &

Roche, 2003) that the approach of the police should embrace an intelligence-based

role operating in a collaborative relationship with liquor licensing and licensing ven-

ues to achieve the shared goal of reducing alcohol-related harm.

Alcohol-Related Harms

Not surprisingly, Australians are becoming increasingly concerned about problems

associated with alcohol misuse in the community. Studies in Australia suggest that

alcohol is a major contributor to events within the community that require police

attendance (Arro, Crook, & Fenton, 1992; Davey & French, 1995; Ireland & Thommeny,

1993). A significant proportion of risky/harmful drinking occurs in and around

Australian licensed premises (pubs, nightclubs, and hotels; Lang, Stockwell, Rydon,

& Gamble, 1992). In major cities such as Brisbane and the Gold Coast, large numbers

of licensed venues operate within a small section of the city precinct, causing patron

hordes in these areas, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights until the early morn-

ing (Block & Block, 1995; Jochelson, 1997).

The associated crime with alcohol use is most likely to involve young men who

engage in occasional excessive drinking as well as acts of violence and public disorder

(Briscoe & Donnelly, 2001a; Homel, Thomsen, & Thommeny, 1991; Jochelson, 1997;

Stockwell, 1997; Stockwell et al., 1998). In addition, it has been found that approxi-

mately 50% of noncriminal traffic offences and other types of criminal offences were

committed by individuals aged between 10 and 24 years. Moreover, the vast majority