Police arrest 17 nightclub drunks

SEVENTEEN drunken partygoers were arrested in Ballarat's nightclub precinct at the weekend, in what the city's police have hailed as another successful visit from the Operations Response Unit.

It was the fourth Ballarat deployment of the newly formed unit, a roving taskforce created to help local police across Victoria to crack down on alcohol-fuelled street crime and violence by saturating city streets. About 20 ORU members worked alongside Ballarat members between 9pm and 5am on Friday and Saturday nights, targeting traffic offences as well as public order.

In addition to the 17 people arrested for public drunkenness, 10 revellers were issued with banning notices, which prohibited them from entering the central business district for 24 hours.

A further 25 infringement notices were issued for public order offences, 15 for traffic matters and five for liquor licensing infringements.

Ballarat police Sergeant Stuart Gale said the saturation style of policing had a "positive effect''.

Last time the ORU visited Ballarat, in late March, 12 extra officers _ nearly half the number that flooded city streets at the weekend just passed _ helped contribute to the arrest of 48 drunks.

Sgt Gale said he could not comment on why a larger contingent of officers this time resulted in fewer arrests or what other factors might have contributed.

Another Ballarat police Sergeant, Darren Prentice, said local police working alongside the ORU was having an impact.

"The highly visible police presence allows us to put more members on the street to help deal with those who think they can continue to ignore our laws and cause harm in their community,'' he said. "The unit is doing exactly what it's meant to be doing and is proving to be a great additional resource local members can use when needed.''

Sgt Prentice said the ORU would continue to come to Ballarat without warning in the ongoing effort to stamp out anti-social behaviour.

"This is the fourth time the ORU has come up to Ballarat and it won't be the last,'' he said.

"We are not only committed to reducing crime in Ballarat, but we are also committed to restoring community confidence."