By Andy Young

A new study by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) has found that assaults have increased in areas around the Kings Cross and Sydney CBD lockout precincts.

While the areas within the Entertainment Precinct defined by the lockout laws continue to show downward trends in non-domestic assaults in neighbouring areas, where no such laws exist, it is a different story.

The BOCSAR figures show the suburbs bordering the lockout zone, which includes The Star Casino plus other venues around Ultimo and Surry Hills, have seen a 12 per cent increase in non-domestic assaults. Other areas close to the lockout zone, including Double Bay, Newtown and Bondi, have seen a 17 per cent rise in non-domestic assaults.

The report says: “The statistically significant rise in the surrounding and nearby suburbs, as well as the generally stable state-wide trend in non-domestic assaults, lend further support to the proposition that the drop in the target sites was due to the specific licensing restrictions affecting those sites rather than other unmeasured factors (e.g. economic conditions) or other components of the liquor law reforms (e.g. bottle shop closures).”

Read more here.

This story first appeared in The Shout.