NSW: Don't bring alcohol or drugs to Mardi Gras - police
06 Mar 2009 11:25 AM
SYDNEY, March 6 AAP - Sydney's Oxford Street will be an alcohol-free zone during the Mardi Gras parade on Saturday, with police warning people not to become drunken thugs.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Catherine Burn said police would have the power to confiscate alcohol on the spot this year.
She said Oxford Street was normally an alcohol-free zone, but exemptions had been granted for the last two annual parades, which attract tens of thousands of spectators.
"We requested (that) an exemption did not go through this year and everybody was in agreeance with that," Ms Burn she told reporters on Friday.
She said a similar move for George Street on New Year's Eve had helped reduce alcohol-related crime.
"We do have alcohol-related crime problems, there's no doubt, with this parade," she said.
"By limiting the amount of alcohol, not only do we reduce alcohol-related crime but we reduce the number of injuries.
"Our message is, don't be a drunken thug, take some responsibility and let everybody have a good time."
Ms Burn said police would be targeting drug use at the event, following this week's seizure of 2,000 ecstasy tablets allegedly bound for the celebrations.
"The message is, really, don't bring illegal drugs. We have the ability and the capability to detect it," she said.
Ms Burn said a record 800 police would be out in force for the event, which continued to get bigger.
Police would also be conducting covert checks on licensed premises to ensure operators complied with the law, she said.
