"Police More Active Since 10 p.m. Closing"

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31656, 17 April 1968, Page 12

"Police More Active Since 10 p.m. Closing"

(N.Z. Press Association)

\ DUNEDIN, April 16. Police had been called to a greater number of domestic disputes since the introduction of 10 p.m. closing, the officer in charge of the Dunedin police district (Chief Superintendent G. Tait) said today. Mr Tait said that exact numbers were not yet available but it was quite apparent from official reports that domestic disputes were figuring more prominantly in police duties. He denied a nationally circulated report that 10 p.m closing had not resulted in an increase in offences concerned with drunkenness, i To combat and deter intoxi icated driving offences the 'police in Dunedin had already 'stepped up their patrols. Seven motorists face charges of driving while intoxicated after an Easter campaign against the offence in which the police were supported by the Transport Department and City Council traffic officers.

Mr Tait disclosed today that special patrols by six police and traffic cars had ranged over a wide area of the city

ion the Thursday and Saturday nights. The patrols had worked between 6 p.m. and 2 a m ' While conceding that similar patrols might harvest a large number of intoxicated drivers if instituted in other centres, Mr Tait said it was apparent that the offence was

,prevalent in the Dunedin area, Dunedin magistrates had commented adversely on the number of offenders appearing before the Court. Mr Tait said that the police could at short notice carry out similar patrols with or without the assistance of traffic officers.