SHOCKER: New Data Suggests Sydney Lockouts Haven’t Curbed CBD Assaults At All

A new suite of research on the impact of Sydney‘s lockout laws suggests the number of non-domestic assaults hasn’t really budged in the central business district, despite the laws being enacted to curtail the number of random, alcohol-influenced assaults on strangers in the city.

[jwplayer ggl5aSEt]

The Sydney Morning Herald reports preliminary analysis from The University of Sydney shows the number of non-domestic assaults in the CBD has remained reasonably level since the laws, which stopped bars from admitting patrons past 1.30am, were enacted in 2014.

Those figures contradict figures from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics, which state non-domestic assaults have dipped in the CBD over the past five years.

The new data does show non-domestic assaults in Sydney’s traditional nightlife hub Kings Cross taking a considerable downturn. However, researchers suggest that downward trend could be ascribed to the simple fact that way, way fewer people visit Kings Cross at night due to the impact of the laws. After all, why go to Kings Cross for a night out when there’s nowhere to go?

Roman Marchant from the university’s Centre for Translational Data Science told the paper he was hoping to pass those findings onto the NSW Parliament Joint Select Committee, which is currently investigating whether the laws should be wound back.

The committee has also resorted to first-hand observations: the crew, including pollies from across the state’s political spectrum, had a good old walk around the district.

And doesn’t One Nation’s Mark Latham look stoked to be there:

The committee will table their findings in late September, but members of the public can still provide their submissions on the matter. If, like Marchant, believe you have something to say on the matter, you can contact the committee here.

More Stuff From PEDESTRIAN.TV