Newman police launch crackdown against 'mad' public drinking problem on town's streets

Newman police have moved to address public drinking in the town. (ABC Pilbara: Tom Robinson)

Police in the Pilbara town of Newman have launched a crackdown on public drinking as it continues to deal with high crime rates and social issues.

Newman officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Bernie McConnachie said people gathering in public areas to drink alcohol had led to increased litter, antisocial behaviour and criminal offending.

"The behaviour of the people is not generally orderly, so we've been deterring that type of behaviour by imposing a very visible police presence," she said.

Like many towns in Western Australia's north, Newman has been plagued by a long-running crime problem, with extra police stationed in the town since 2022 as part of Operation Regional Shield.

Senior Sergeant Bernie McConnachie says too many people are drinking in public. (ABC Pilbara: Tom Robinson)

Newman is subject to the banned drinkers register (BDR), which prevents problem drinkers from buying takeaway alcohol across the Pilbara as well as the Kimberley and Goldfields regions.

The BDR was also expanded to Carnarvon yesterday.

Senior Sergeant McConnachie said the register was one tool used to reduce excessive drinking and that police would work with local leaders to ensure community safety was improved. 

"If there's people out on the street, why are they out on the street?

"What can we put in place to prevent them from being out on the street drinking alcohol and leaving the rubbish behind?"

Newman is subject to the banned drinkers register but locals feel it's not making a difference. (ABC Pilbara: Tom Robinson)

Women's shelter backs police

Newman Women's Shelter manager Arina Aoina said Newman had a serious alcohol problem, which contributed to many women seeking refuge at the shelter after fleeing domestic violence.

Ms Aoina said she supported the police's decision to address public drinking. 

"Unfortunately it plays a huge role. We have so many women who suffer from really terrible injuries and food insecurity because alcohol is involved," she said.

"You just see some of our community members in groups drinking publicly and there's nothing being done about it.

"[We're] really pleased that the police are looking at addressing that."

Arina Aoina says public drinking in Newman needs to be addressed. (ABC Pilbara: Tom Robinson)

Ms Aoina said while restrictions needed to be paired with community and social programs, she felt the BDR was making little difference to the public drinking problem.

"[Restrictions] really help that whole issue around mad drinking," she said.

"I think once those restrictions are in, it really helps decrease some of the issues."

A Newman pastoral program previously told the ABC the BDR was not reducing problem drinking in the town.