Police moving towards 'enforcement model' in dealing with Coffs Harbour pubs
Senior police say it is a "sad indictment on the community" that the state's most violent pub is now in Coffs Harbour.
The Plantation Hotel has been named the most violent pub in the state, with 21 violent incidents in twelve months.
Managers say they are working on the issue, and it is not a fair representation of how the pub is run.
It has come in above some of Sydney's largest and highest-profile venues like Ivy, The World Bar, Home Nightclub and the SCG/SFS.
The listing will see strict licence conditions imposed regarding lockouts, security and the serving of shots and other drinks.
Detective Inspector Darren Jameson said they have tried to work with local pubs in the past - but may need a more forceful approach.
"We try to work with licensed premises across the command," he said.
"We work with them to try to ease the issues of violence coming out of their premises.
"But ultimately at some stage we need to move to an enforcement model, and that's where we are with some hotels here."
Detective Inspector Jameson said the issue is not confined to the Plantation, as demonstrated by issues in recent days.
"Out of the weekend we've had a significant amount of alcohol-related incidents from licensed premises," he said.
"Flowing onto multiple assaults out on public streets, at bus stops and other areas around the CBD over the weekend."
The Plantation Hotel says the listing is not a fair representation, but it will work hard to see itself removed.
Daniel Knox from the Plantation Hotel says they are disappointed and surprised to be at the top of the list.
"I was very surprised, in particular to see we'd fallen behind some pretty major Sydney venues there as well," he said.
"At this stage, the way the venue is being run, I don't think it's a fair representation.
"But the numbers speak for themselves, and we'll just have to keep on doing what we do."
Mr Knox said the additional conditions are not a huge imposition on the pub, as most are already being adhered to voluntarily.
"We're going to do absolutely everything we need to do to get off this list," he said.
"We already adhere to the vast majority of the conditions already, and have been operating under those conditions for quite some time.
"It's something that we do off the back of our own hands just to ensure the safety of patrons, and obviously we're going to continue to do so."
Source: ABC News, 30th November 2015
