ACT police are set to ramp up patrols of popular night spots across the city during coming weeks, despite a fall in alcohol-related assaults in previous years.
With summer set to bring an increase in the number of people out and about at Canberra's bars and pubs along with more large gatherings and parties taking place during the warmer months, ACT chief police officer Neil Gaughan said officers would be more vigilant during the festive season.
"Over the Christmas period, every night is a Friday night," he said.
"Officers will be patrolling in peak periods, but as we move into the last week before Christmas, lots of people are not at work, and we anticipate every night will be busy."
The increase in patrols during summer comes as new figures revealed a drop in booze-fuelled assaults across the city last year.
The number of alcohol-fuelled assaults fell during the 2019-20 summer period, the second year in a row.
Last year also saw a 25 per cent reduction in the number of infringement notices handed out by police for anti-social behaviour and consuming alcohol in public.
Assaults during the previous summers have also decreased, falling by 23 per cent in 2018-19 and 33 per cent in 2017-18.
Deputy commissioner Gaughan said he hoped the trends would continue in the coming summer period.
"We don't want to be the fun police, we want to ensure everyone is behaving appropriately," he said.
"We'll be patrolling the city quite vigilantly, because historically [this time of year] sees a rise in alcohol-fuelled violence."
While popular night spots across Canberra will be targeted by patrols during summer, deputy commissioner Gaughan said house parties would also be looked at, to ensure they meet gathering restrictions brought on by coronavirus.
"People have got to be cautious about house parties and comply with the health directions," he said.
ACT paramedic Sam Perillo said the summer period was often among the busiest times of year for ambulance staff. "People are out there to have fun, but no one wants to end up in the back of an ambulance," Mr Perillo said.
