10 Jul 2008

Auckland pubs, bars to close earlier under police plan

4:04 pm on 10 July 2008

Auckland police want clubs, pubs and bars to shut down earlier to try to reduce levels of violence in the central business district.

Police submitted a report to the Auckland City Council on Thursday, asking that the current 24-hour licensing regime be reduced.

Area Commander Rob Abbott says police want off-licences to close at 11pm and on-license premises, such as clubs, to shut at 3am.

Police also want a "lock-in" period, under which people are not allowed into clubs, or let back in, after 1am.

Mr Abbott says most of the increasing levels of violence can be attributed to drunken assaults.

Auckland City Mayor John Banks says an early shut down of the city's nightlife is not going to happen.

Mr Banks says he will not punish well-run liquor outlets or the majority of well behaved people in the central business district.