Police will target Crate Day trouble

"Last year someone had a brick thrown at them and lost vision in their eye; the year before that there were assaults on police."

Acting detective sergeant Paul Davison

Police are promising an increased presence in Ha¯ wera this Saturday to ensure there is no repeat of the ugly scenes and violence that have marred Crate Day celebrations in recent years.

Crate Day, a national event which sees participants attempt to finish off an entire crate of beer nine litres of alcohol - takes place on the first Saturday in December.

But in the past few years in the South Taranaki town there have been riots in the CBD, assaults on police, broken jaws, serious eye injuries and increased property damage.

Acting detective sergeant of the Ha¯wera Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) Paul Davison said he wants people to ‘‘be smart’’ this year.

‘‘I’ve had the bad luck of being on the regional [shift], and been called down here to clean up what’s happened,’’ Davison said.

‘‘Last year someone had a brick thrown at them and lost vision in their eye; the year before that there were assaults on police.’’

Davison said the issues came about when Crate Day participants tried to get into town and visit licensed premises.

‘‘Publicans don’t want them in there. They don’t want preloaded people because they’re no good to them; they’re not going to make money out of them, and they’re only going to cause trouble,’’ he said.

‘‘And then of course when they’re denied entry, that’s when they get angry and start wanting to fight.’’

Davison calls Crate Day a ‘‘marketing ploy’’ and said some people substituted pre-mixed alcohol for a crate of beer.

‘‘People decide they’re going to try and drink a box of them [premixes] instead - that’s worse that’s like eight per cent, or higher,’’ he said.

‘‘The message we want to get out there is just use your brain.’’

The Rock radio station, which promotes the event and claims host Duncan Heyde as the founder of National Crate Day, has no mention of drinking alcohol on its website.

‘‘National Crate Day is all about celebrating the first Saturday of summer, whacking some meat on the barbie, playing some highly competitive backyard cricket, and of course, listening to The Rock’s Cratest Backyard Anthems VERY LOUDLY,’’ the website states.

Because of the history in Ha¯ wera there will be an increased police and Ma¯ ori warden presence in the town this weekend, Davison said.

‘‘We’re going to be visible on the street and just de-escalate anything that happens.

‘‘Our CIB team have also been going around people who have been involved in the last two years and just chatting to them and encouraging them not to participate.’’

Crate Day revellers have caused issues across the country, with the likes of Auckland’s Hibiscus Coast even introducing temporary liquor bans for the weekend in a bid to prevent the problems of previous years.

Last year’s Crate Day at the Hibiscus Coast’s Stanmore Bay saw 29 arrests for assault, fighting in a public place, disorderly behaviour likely to incite violence, breach of the peace and general offensive behaviour.

Taranaki District Heath Board (TDHB) emergency department nurse manager Sharon Crowe said last year’s event resulted in 23 more patients arriving at hospitals in New Plymouth and Ha¯wera, putting extra pressure on their staff.

‘‘Patients were treated for various alcohol-related injuries and illnesses including stab wounds, cuts, head injuries, vomiting, falls, assaults and broken bones.’’

Davison said participants should take their time, eat plenty of food, and share the crate.

‘‘Make the first Saturday in December one to remember for the right reasons.’’