Liquor licences have more than doubled in the past 17 years. Photo / Chris Skelton
Liquor licences have more than doubled in the past 17 years. Photo / Chris Skelton
KEY POINTS:
The number of liquor licences has more than doubled in the last 17 years.
Figures released by the Liquor Licensing Authority show that in 1991 there were 6295 liquor licences and at the beginning of 2008 there were 14,773.
Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin have all recordedrises with the number of licences issued between 1991 and 2008 in Christchurch and Auckland almost tripling.
The number in Wellington has climbed from 356 753.
The number in Auckland City has gone from 677 to 1787, and Christchurch from 431 to 1236.
The figures have raised concerns with Christchurch police, Mayor Bob Parker and local MP Tim Barnett all calling for a reduction in the number of licensed premises in the city in order to control disorder and violence.
Liquor licences are authorised by councils.
"There comes a stage, and I think we have gone past that now, when you say enough is enough," Christchurch Police central city area commander Gary Knowles said.
"In an effort to curb violence and alcohol-related crime, we should control liquor licences. Why are we issuing more licences when we have enough now?"
Mr Barnett also called for a reduction in the number of alcohol outlets.
"I think when you see there has been a tripling of the number of outlets that is a big illustration of the problem," he said.
Mr Parker said the council needed to review the council's policy on alcohol and licensing in the city.
