Media Release: “Lockout and last drinks” Correction

Release date: 9.30am, Wednesday 29 April 2015

On the 16th of April, the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research released a report on the effect amendments made to the NSW Liquor Act in February 2014.

The report stated that assaults in the Sydney CBD entertainment precinct had declined by 40% in response to the amendments.

Subsequent checking by the Bureau has revealed an error in the geographic boundaries employed to define the Sydney CBD entertainment precinct.

Reanalysis of the assault data with the correct boundaries has revealed that assaults in this precinct declined by 26%, not 40% as originally stated.

A 40% decline in assault did occur, but only in a portion of the Sydney CBD entertainment precinct along George Street south of Park Street.

No other findings in the Bureau's report were affected by this error. The decline in assault in the Kings Cross Entertainment Precinct is 32 per cent, as stated in the Bureau's report.

The Bureau goes to great lengths to ensure that the accuracy of its reports and sincerely regrets that an error on this occasion slipped through its checking procedures.

Further enquiries: Dr Don Weatherburn (02) 8346 1100