Pubs, bottleshops in Gascoyne region slapped with alcohol infringements and cautions following police blitz

WA Police have issued 25 alcohol-related infringements and cautions in the Gascoyne region following a major liquor crackdown in WA’s north. Officers from Perth’s Liquor Enforcement Unit were deployed to various Mid West towns including Geraldton, Carnarvon and Kalbarri for a five-day blitz earlier this month. As part of the blitz, officers conducted 48 liquor license premises audits, resulting in nine liquor infringements and 14 liquor cautions across multiple local pubs, hotels and bottleshops. Police said all 25 infringements were in regards to venues and licensees not keeping records of appropriate incident and staff registers. Licensing enforcement division inspector Doug Stjepic said regional deployments were crucial in towns where there was a high prevalence of alcohol-related harm. “Overall, we have been pleased with the way in which licensees were keeping their legally required records, however, a couple of our audit outcomes have resulted in further investigations being commenced,” he told The West Australian. Mid West Gascoyne superintendent Steve Post said the deployment would “boost” work already done by local police. “Being able to conduct such a high number of liquor licence compliance audits across the district, over just a few days, has reinforced to our local liquor licence holders the importance of keeping their legally required records up-to-date at all times,” he said. “Keeping vulnerable members of our community safe remains a priority for local police and we will continue to use every tool available to us, including seeking support from specialist units in Perth to achieve that outcome.” During the five-day blitz, police also charged a 59-year-old woman after intercepting a Broome-bound bus and discovering 3.6kg of cannabis concealed in her luggage. The woman was charged with possession of a prohibited drug with intent to sell or supply. Police also issued 12 traffic infringements after detecting several vehicles driving between 20 and 30km/h over the speed limit on arterial roads.