Police set to continue national blitz

Police across the nation will again be out in force on Saturday night, remaining
vigilant after arresting hundreds of people in a sweeping crackdown on
alcohol-fuelled violence.
On the first day of Operation Unite, covering Australia and New Zealand, the largest
number of arrests were made in NSW, with a total of 516 charges laid against 333
people across the state on Friday night.
The charges were for offences ranging from assault and affray to drug possession and
robbery.
Two police officers were hospitalised after separate incidents during the operation.
One officer was allegedly king hit at Ryde police station, while another officer was
hurt after climbing a fence to pursue a man in Macquarie Fields, in Sydney's
southwest.
A 38-year-old Carlingford man was due to appear in Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday
over the attack at Ryde.
Deputy Commissioner Dave Owens said police were sick of dealing with drunk people.
"There seems to be a theme that keeps running at the moment which is simply add
alcohol and you get an instant idiot," Mr Owens told reporters in Sydney.
He said police would not back down during the rest of the operation which runs until
6am on Sunday.
"...1,200 police, we're not backing off. We're going to have the same number out
there again tonight.
"I'm telling people what we're doing, I'm telling people what we're targeting. The
message isn't getting through.
"Each day, we're going to put the mouthguard in and back up."
WA Police made 142 arrests for anti-social behaviour and visited 342 licensed
premises and 184 other venues including sporting and social events during the
crackdown.
Victoria Police arrested 98 people for drunkenness and four for assault in
Melbourne's CBD.
Superintendent Rod Wilson told AAP police were "generally pleased" with behaviour in
the city.
"We didn't have a big influx of people into the city," he said.
"Although arrests for drunks were up, you've got to balance that with the numbers of
police - 400 extra in two sectors of the city.
"With more police out there, there's more chance of arrests."
In Brisbane, an adult was caught supplying liquor to a minor and 73 drivers were
caught drink driving throughout Queensland.
On the opening night of the blitz, Queensland police attended 867 licensed
establishments and detected 101 licensing breaches, handed out 156 liquor
infringement notices and forced 135 people to move on.
Besides the crackdown on alcohol-related violence, Queensland police also dealt with
a number of juveniles with a dozen being arrested, nine cautioned and seven issued
with Notices to Appear.
Police in other states were also mostly pleased with the behaviour of revellers.
NT police made 16 arrests for alcohol-related offences and forced people to tip out
79 litres of alcohol on Friday night.
Acting deputy commissioner Grahame Kelly said extensive publicity about the
operation and wet weather in Darwin contributed to the lower than usual total of
arrests in the state capital.
"Most people certainly appeared to be enjoying themselves and doing the right
thing," Mr Kelly said.
"There is always a few who spoil it. There were a few clowns who could barely walk,
falling over, generally abusive and obnoxious."
ACT Police arrested 27 people, SA police made 21 arrests in Adelaide and 10 people
were arrested in Hobart.