Wellington Police issue warning ahead of Sevens weekend
Wellington District Police are making it plain that alcohol-fuelled disorder and intoxication will be dealt with swiftly
both at the stadium and in the city over the weekend.
Police have been working closely with Westpac Stadium, Sevens organisers and the Wellington City Council on new
initiatives to prevent alcohol related harm and ensure the event is safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Inspector John Spence, Operation Commander for the event, says "The new Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act gives Police new
powers and places greater responsibility on those serving alcohol to stop serving and intervene when people become
intoxicated".
"Police now have the power to issue infringement notices for a range offences as well as evict people from the stadium".
As with previous years, security staff will be present at the entrance to the stadium to ensure the fans are not
smuggling alcohol into the event. Wristbands allowing people to purchase and consume alcohol inside the venue will be
issued at the gate and will be removed from anyone found to be intoxicated.
The CBD alcohol ban will be in force as usual across the city and Police can issue on-the-spot fines for anyone who
breaches the alcohol ban with a $250 fine and/or arrest.
A team of Alcohol Harm Prevention Officers will be monitoring compliance with Act both inside the stadium and around the
city with an extra 160 officers working on the Operation and keeping an eye on the behaviour of the crowd.
"We encourage people to drink plenty of water, to moderate their alcohol intake and to look after their mates. Take your
friends home or back to their hotel if they have had too much to drink, otherwise they could be spending the night at
our place," says Inspector Spence.
Emergency medicine specialist Dr Paul Quigley said, "There is no surer way of ruining a good night out than a trip to ED
so we encourage moderation. But it's the little things too that tend to ruin peoples' weekends, like not eating enough
or drinking enough water and not protecting themselves from sunburn."
"Last year during Sevens weekend we saw almost double the number of alcohol-related presentations in ED. Look after
yourself and your friends at all times and don't get dangerously drunk.”
“If the sun is out, sun burn can be a big issue and wearing hot costumes can cause heat stroke and exhaustion, which is
made worse by alcohol.”
Last year 12 people were arrested and 47 people were evicted from the stadium over the two day event.
ENDS