Police reveal plans to slash drunken violence: Cop bid for 3am lockout

A THREE-month trial of 3am lockouts at Geelong nightclubs could begin next month, police have revealed.
Sergeant Aaron Riches said police hoped to begin the trial by the end of April.
The lockouts would prevent further patrons entering nightclubs after 3am to clear revellers from city streets.
“High-risk venues” Home House, Eureka, Rumours and Titanium were likely candidates for the controversial lockouts, aimed at reducing drunken violence.
Sgt Riches said police would have preferred to begin the lockouts at 2am.
The Independent revealed earlier this year that Deakin University research had found Geelong’s self-regulation measures to cut drunken assaults were inferior to Newcastle’s system of earlier closing times.
Geelong MP Ian Trezise later called for 1am lockouts after a 36 per cent hike in Geelong assaults.
Geelong Nightlife Association boss Darren Holroyd slammed lockouts.
He said Newcastle’s reduction in assaults came off a low base and Geelong’s anti-violence initiatives, such as scanning licences on entry and two-way radio communication between venues and police, had significantly reduced alcohol-related assaults.
The Geelong assaults rise was unrelated to nightclub violence, which was “actually going down,’’ Mr Holroyd said.
“Inside the premises, it’s fine – it’s out on the streets. And talking to taxi drivers, they say (lockouts) will only will make people angrier.
“Also, the last thing you want as a parent is your kids driving to Melbourne because they can’t get into a club in Geelong.”
Mr Holroyd said early lockouts would encourage clubs to attract patrons through cheap drink stunts, which the association had worked hard to discourage.
Mr Trezise said 1am lockouts were “a reasonable call that should be at least be considered by State Government, local police and nightclub operators, especially in light of New South Wales’ move to actually close clubs at 3am”.
“I’m not critical of the nightlife association, it’s introduced numerous initiatives, but I’m concerned about the 36 per cent increase in street assaults.
“There aren’t any blues in the nightclubs, that’s my point – keep the kids in the clubs, not walking the streets.’’