Back in April, 4bars reported on the latest police crackdowns on alcohol-related violence. The report detailed Perth Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan’s determination to reel in the mayhem in the Perth nightlife hub of Northbridge.

The latest news on the nightlife precinct from website Perth Now is a plan by Director of Liquor Licensing, Barry Sargeant, to enforce lock-outs this weekend if pubs and clubs want to extend their trading hours this long weekend. After close consultation with Police, Sargeant has allowed eight venues to trade later on Sunday night if they enforce a lock-out the hour before closing.

This plan comes hot on the heals of The Sunday Times revelation of Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan’s submission to Mr Sargeant touting a mass clean-up of Northbridge.

Some of the recommendations are:

* Abolition of all existing extended-trading permits so hotels and taverns close at midnight instead of 2am or 3am and nightclubs shut at 3am instead of 6am.

* Removal of special-facility licences, including The Mustang Bar and The Shed, and a streamlining of a more appropriate licence with a midnight closing time.

* Introduction of a new extended-trading permit system whereby licensees must pay substantial fees for a short-term permit to trade past their designated closing times.

* A ‘’super taxi rank” manned by private security guards and with closed-circuit TV surveillance to improve the safety of cabbies and patrons.

* More rigorous inspections by the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor and the City of Perth to help identify breaches of the Liquor Control Act.

The submission is under consideration by Mr Sargeant. No decision has been made.

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