The Herald Sun reported yesterday that 204 people were arrested for drunkenness over the weekend as part of a national crackdown on alcohol related violence that has been given the handle Operation UNITE.

The Victorian police force put hundreds of extra officers onto the streets in response to the escalation of alcohol related incidents.

The Herald Sun reported Sen-Constable Michelle Walsh as saying that the police handed out 51 banning notices for anti-social behaviour, which prohibited them from returning to the CBD for 48 hours.

661 licensed venues across the state were also visited, with 59 liquor licensing offences cited in an attention to enforce compliance with the responsible serving of alcohol and reduce the on-premise’s contribution to alcohol-related issues.

While Operation Unite concluded this morning Sen-Constable Walsh was reported as saying that the police will remain vigilant in their efforts to curb the “drink to get drunk” culture and to create safer cities for the community to enjoy.