Senior sergeant hits out at drinking culture after spate of serious assaults

A spate of alcohol-fuelled and violent incidents kept police busy into the early hours of Christmas Day.

New Plymouth police made at least 15 alcohol-related arrests on Christmas Eve, including four for serious assaults and three for other assaults. Two men were also arrested on December 23 for fighting in a public place and a Patea man was arrested for a serious assault early on Christmas morning.

Other arrests following alcohol-related incidents were made for dangerous driving, disorderly behaviour, resisting arrest, obstructing police, breach of home detention, offensive behaviour, and possession of cannabis and utensils.

The string of incidents prompted New Plymouth Senior Sergeant Selwyn Wansbrough to hit out at the drinking culture in New Zealand.

"Far too many people are drinking far too much alcohol," Mr Wansbrough said.

"It seems to be especially prevalent at this time of the year – it's not called the silly season for nothing. It's not what it's meant to be about but it seems to be what it's developed into."

Of the Christmas Eve arrests, 11 came from three separate incidents in suburban New Plymouth and Mr Wansbrough said this was not unusual.

"When people have been drinking, things can quickly escalate," he said.

Police would prefer people did their drinking in the controlled environments of pubs and bars rather than at home, Mr Wansbrough said.

"If the publicans and bar managers do their jobs right there's no problems.

At least three New Plymouth men will appear in the New Plymouth District Court on January 7 charged with violent offences.

A 29-year-old New Plymouth man has been charged with injuring with intent to injure, and a 26-year-old New Plymouth man faces a charge of assault following an incident at Glenpark Ave about 6pm on Christmas Eve.

Two 20-year-old New Plymouth men and a 22-year-old New Plymouth man face charges of assault with intent to injure following an incident on Somerset St, about 6.30pm the same night.

Following the same incident, a 28-year-old New Plymouth woman was charged with assaulting another woman. In South Taranaki, police reported a quiet Christmas, with just one alcohol-related violent offence.

- © Fairfax NZ News