Alcohol and Crime

• At least 33 percent of all police-recorded offences in 2008/09 were committed where the offender had consumed alcohol prior to committing the offence.
• At least one-third of recorded violence offences and family violence incidents in 2007/08 were committed where the offender had consumed alcohol prior to committing the offence.
• Approximately half of the homicides recorded from 1999 involved either a suspect or victim being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.

On an average day:

• 52 individuals or groups of people are either driven home or detained in Police custody due to their state of intoxication.
• Police arrest 340 alleged offenders who show signs of having consumed alcohol prior to offending, including:
  • 30 offences for breach of a council’s liquor ban
  • 100 offences for drink driving
  • approximately 5,923 compulsory breath tests and 2,743 mobile breath tests are undertaken
  • 41 licensed premises are visited to monitor compliance with the Sale of Liquor Act.

(Source: New Zealand Police 2010)