Drunken NSW brawlers face crack down

Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione has a strong message for Sydney drinkers this weekend: violence will not be tolerated.

One thousand extra police officers will converge on Sydney CBD, Surry Hills and Kings Cross this weekend as NSW does its bit in the nationwide Operation

Unite, targeting alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour.

Premier Kristina Keneally says the operation is about sending a strong message to the community.

"Take personal responsibility for your own actions, take personal responsibility for people around you," Ms Keneally said at a media conference on Friday.

Mr Scipione said alcohol was the single biggest problem facing police officers in Sydney.

"If you intend to go out and get paralytic and vomit and fight and abuse people and damage property then there is no real place for you on our streets," Mr Scipione said.

Asked whether she would consider raising the legal drinking age, Ms Keneally said she would welcome a debate on the issue.

"I don't think there is a magic age," she said.

However, Mr Scipione said a large percentage of alcohol offenders were aged between 12 and 17, below the legal drinking age.

Operation Unite will continue until six o'clock on Monday morning in all Australian states and territories, and also in New Zealand

Issued by The Sydney Morning Herald 11th December 2009

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/drunken-nsw-brawlers-face-crack-down-20091211-kngn.html