Alcohol-related crime in city entertainment precincts: Public perception and experience of alcohol-related crime and support for strategies to reduce such crime.
Bars, pubs and taverns in cities are often concentrated in entertainment precincts that are associated with higher rates of alcohol-related crime. This study assessed public perception and experiences of such crime in two city entertainment precincts, and support for alcohol-related crime reduction strategies.



A cross-sectional household telephone survey in two Australian regions assessed: perception and experiences of crime; support for crime reduction strategies; and differences in such perceptions and support.



Six hundred ninety-four people completed the survey (32%). Most agreed that alcohol was a problem in their entertainment precinct (90%) with violence the most common alcohol-related problem reported (97%). Almost all crime reduction strategies were supported by more than 50% of participants, including visitors to the entertainment precincts, with the latter being slightly less likely to support earlier closing and restrictions on premises density. Participants in one region were more likely to support earlier closing and lock-out times. Those at-risk of acute alcohol harm were less likely to support more restrictive policies.



High levels of community concern and support for alcohol harm-reduction strategies, including restrictive strategies, provide policy makers with a basis for implementing evidence-based strategies to reduce such harms in city entertainment precincts. [Tindall J, Groombridge D, Wiggers J, Gillham K, Palmer D, Clinton-McHarg T, Lecathelinais C, Miller P. Alcohol-related crime in city entertainment precincts: Public perception and experience of alcohol-related crime and support for strategies to reduce such crime. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:263-272].
Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, Australia.|Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia.
Jenny
0000-0002-3674-9510
J
Tindall
Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, Australia.|Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia.
Daniel
D
Groombridge
Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, Australia.|Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia.|Schools of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.
John
J
Wiggers
Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, Australia.|Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia.
Karen
K
Gillham
School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
Darren
D
Palmer
Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, Australia.|Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia.
Tara
T
Clinton-McHarg
Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, Australia.|Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia.
Christophe
C
Lecathelinais
School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
Peter
P
Miller
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002947:Cities; D003415:Crime / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D012147:Restaurants; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
Australia; alcohol; attitude; harm reduction; violence