Broome could face similar liquor restrictions as Carnarvon as violent crime spirals out of control

Restrictions on the sale of alcohol could be brought in for Broome as the tourist hotspot battles out-of-control violence. The West Australian can reveal WA’s Director of Liquor Licensing Lanie Chopping could reveal her intentions as early as this week. It comes after Racing and Gaming Minister Reece Whitby celebrated the success of liquor restrictions in Carnarvon that saw the crime rate rapidly plunge by 38 per cent since their introduction in May. Restrictions in Broome would be unique for that location and it’s understood they wouldn’t simply mimic the rules in Carnarvon. The rules imposed on Carnarvon by licensing director Lanie Chopping banned takeaway sales of alcohol on Sunday and Monday and limited it to between noon and 7pm on other days. Halfway through a review of the new measures, the results were visible on Carnarvon’s streets, which are no longer strewn with broken glass, and can be felt in its hospital emergency department, which is no longer packed with patients suffering from alcohol-related injuries. A State Government spokesman said the liquor rules were imposed independently by the director but that the Cook Government expected the concerns of the Kimberley town’s community would be taken into account. “We’ve seen the positive effect liquor restrictions can have on communities in places like Carnarvon,” he said. “The State Government is confident the DLL will take into consideration the concerns of local communities and the importance of the tourism industry to places like Broome when making her decision.” Police Commissioner Col Blanch last month said Operation Regional Shield had helped drive down property crime in Broome but admitted violent crime was rising and alcohol was a factor.