Carnarvon Police plan to address sly grogging in the region, urging people to report suspicious behaviour

Carnarvon Police are encouraging members of the community to report sly grogging as they begin to crackdown on alcohol being transported into the town, under strict liquor restrictions to curb antisocial behaviour. Last week, Racing and Gaming Minister Reece Whitby announced new regulations giving police the power to search and dispose of alcohol on the spot if a person exceeds carriage limits following other liquor restrictions that came into effect in May. Carriage limits are one carton of beer, cider or mixed spirits, or three bottles of wine, or 1L of spirits or fortified wine or a combination of two products, per adult in a vehicle per day. Cars that are transporting more than five passengers are only allowed to carry alcohol for five people. Carnarvon Police officer in charge Sen. Sgt Mark Ardley said although the issue of sly grogging had not been identified by local police, they were prepared to get on top of it before it became a serious problem. “Historically sly grogging hasn’t come to the attention of local police or been identified by local police as an issue in Carnarvon,” he said. “However given it is only early days with the new liquor restrictions/BDR (banned drinkers register) in Carnarvon, I can’t say that it won’t occur or isn’t occurring. “There have been some informal comments made around town that has come to our attention, however the information has been limited, hindering follow up or further investigation.” Sen. Sgt Ardley asked anyone with information locally, or around the Mid West-Gascoyne, who may be aware of any suspicious behaviour to reach out to police. “Police will be encouraging community members to report any sly grogging so we can work together to help reduce alcohol related harm within the community,” he said. Anyone found to be exceeding carriage limits could face a maximum fine of up to $10,000. Mid West-Gascoyne Superintendent Steve Post last week said early indications suggested liquor restrictions could be “directly linked to a significant reduction in crime within the local community”.