By BRIDGET COOK
SIX people have been banned from all licensed premises across Casey since an initiative to eradicate anti-social behaviour was introduced last year.
Members of the Casey Alcohol Accord agreed to a process where patrons who committed anti-social behaviour, including assaults or property damage, in one venue would be banned from all licensed premises in the municipality.
The Accord is a voluntary agreement between businesses selling liquor, the Casey council and local police to promote the responsible service, sale and consumption of alcohol, and encourage a high standard of behaviour in the community.
More than 30 licensed venues and packaged liquor outlets are members.
Since the group-banning initiative kicked off about a year ago, six patrons have been banned for various indiscretions for one month up to a year.
Casey Inspector Wayne Viney said they also had five people on a list that were due to be banned in the near future.
“All those banned so far are related to assaults in licensed venues,” he said.
“Some of those have been against patrons, and some against security and crowd control staff and even police.”
Insp Viney said two men were currently on the pending banned list for a fight in a Casey venue.
“The two males were fighting with each other,” he said.
“The security attempted to intervene and then the two males assaulted the security guards and spat on them.
“They then returned to assault each other.
“When police arrived, they attempted to assault the police and even spat on them.
“Both suffered injuries inflicted upon each other.
“They will both be banned for a year.”
Insp Viney said the group-banning process was a result of licensees deciding to take a stand and support each other.
“The accord sees the banning process used mostly at night venues, so in short if you want to muck up at one night club don’t think that the night club up the road will let you in next week,” he said.
“Patrons can be banned for up to two years and will need to demonstrate to the Accord that they have addressed their issues before being accepted back into any licensed premises.
“Group-banning enables licensees to be proactive in creating a safe environment for all patrons within their venues.”
For more information or to join the Casey Alcohol Accord contact City of Casey health promotion project officer on 9705 5200 or visit www.casey.vic.gov.au/alcoholaccord.
