A trial of a point of sale intervention (POSI) is currently underway in Alice Springs.
The trial began on Wednesday 17 April 2024 and will continue for four weeks until Friday 10 May. It involves the deployment of Licensing Inspectors alongside existing police officers to conduct POSI duties at selected takeaway licensed premises.
The trial is a collaboration between the Northern Territory Police Force and the Department of Industry, Tourism, and Trade (DITT). Its aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of a collaborative approach to POSI duties between Police and Licensing NT.
POSI initiatives have been implemented in the Territory in various forms since 2012, with the goal of reducing alcohol-related harm in the community. Police officers and licensing inspectors are authorised to perform POSI duties, which include the ability to intervene and halt sales at takeaway liquor outlets across the Northern Territory.
Superintendent Drew Slape of Alice Springs welcomes the trial and notes the positive progress of the trial thus far and emphasises the importance of collaboration between departments to reduce alcohol related harms in the community.
"We acknowledge that police presence will always reduce anti-social behaviour in public locations, however we must balance this alongside the best use of police resources.
"Police will continue to maintain a presence at all packaged licensed premises in Alice Springs whilst the trial is underway."
The public is reminded to report antisocial behaviour or crime by calling 131 444 or dialling 000 in emergencies.
