A CRACKDOWN by the shire's police on anti-social behaviour has resulted in a decrease in the number of assaults in the past three months.
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From July, Leeton police stepped up their presence at the town's licensed venues in response to concerns about the number of alcohol-related incidents occurring on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Griffith Local Area Command Inspector Tony Reneker said police were always more present in clubs and pubs during weekend periods, but a decision had been made to increase that.
"Police have been strictly enforcing the law with those people that have been carrying out offences within licensed hotels," Inspector Reneker said.
"There had been an increase in assaults and anti-social behaviour in these Leeton venues.
"They were some of the reasons (for the crackdown)."
From July to September, there were 25 assaults in Leeton, with five of those occurring at a hotel.
This compares with the same time period last year where 39 assaults were recorded in town and 10 of those happening at a licensed venue.
"We've halved that, which is fantastic," Inspector Reneker said.
"That's less people being assaulted and people being aware they will be caught."
For the same three-month period 199 checks of a licensed venue were conducted by police, compared to 99 for the same time last year.
Police also issued 10 on-the-spot fines for failing to quit a licensed premises during the crackdown.
"We'll absolutely be continuing with it," Inspector Reneker said.
"Coming into the warmer weather, it's notoriously a busy time of year for these sorts of incidents.
"We certainly want people to go out and have a good time, but if they take it to the extreme they will be dealt with by police."
Inspector Reneker thanked the licensed venues for their continued co-operation.