Victoria Police unveils new approach to public drunkenness at Melbourne Cup
Victoria Police is gearing up for this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival with a new approach to public drunkenness, emphasising support and assistance over enforcement.
In a move that’s set to be a game-changer for those who enjoy a tipple during the Melbourne Cup, Victoria Police is adopting a new approach to public drunkenness for this year’s event.
As the Melbourne Cup Carnival draws near, the police force is making preparations to ensure the safety of racegoers and visitors, with a focus on providing support and assistance to those who may overindulge.
A spokesperson for Victoria Police highlighted their commitment to maintaining order during the Melbourne Cup festivities.
“Victoria Police will have a visible presence at this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival,” said the spokesperson. The police presence will include general duties officers, Highway Patrol members, the Mounted Branch, and the Public Order Response Team.
One significant change for this year’s event is the decriminalisation of public drunkenness on Cup Day.
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According to the spokesperson, police officers will encourage intoxicated individuals to seek support and assistance from their family or friends.
Additionally, they will have the option to refer them to the public intoxication response service overseen by the Department of Health.
In cases where intoxicated individuals refuse assistance and do not pose a risk to others, police will no longer play a role.
However, if a drunk person commits a criminal offence, the police will respond promptly to address the situation.
Victoria Police officers will be stationed at various locations during the event, including trackside at Flemington, in the CBD, and major entertainment precincts across the four race days.
To bolster their efforts, general duties police will receive support from multiple specialist units, such as the Mounted Branch, Highway Patrol, Water Police, and the Public Order Response Team.
Additionally, transit police and Protective Services Officers (PSOs) will be deployed across the public transport network. Mobile PSO teams will patrol trams and trains to deter anti-social behaviour, ensuring the safety of commuters.
Police will establish drug and alcohol testing sites around the racecourse and high-risk areas to detect impaired drivers and maintain road safety.
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How will Victoria Police handle public drunkenness on Melbourne Cup Day?
When police are the first to arrive at a scene involving a drunk person needing urgent ambulance assistance, they will stay until paramedics arrive.
Should an intoxicated person not require urgent ambulance assistance but might be a risk to themselves, police can offer to take them to family, help with public transport, or refer them to a public intoxication support service overseen by the Department of Health.
Refusing assistance means they’ll stay in place, as police have no further role.
If a drunk person poses a safety risk to others, police will try to de-escalate the situation. If unsuccessful, they may use move-on and breach of the peace powers to remove them.
The police will promptly address any criminal offences by an intoxicated person.
Victoria Police worked closely with event organisers and licensed venues to ensure they know their obligations: not serving intoxicated patrons, an offence for licensees, or allowing a drunk person to remain on licensed premises is also prohibited.
Over 85 per cent of Victoria Police officers have received mandatory training on public drunkenness and the health-led model, ensuring that most serving the community have this vital training.
The status of sobering-up centres remains under the purview of the Victorian Government and the Department of Health.
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