Broome police issue restrictions on takeaway alcohol as Kimberley region prepares to welcome back tourists

Less than 24 hours before travellers will be able to venture to the Kimberley region, local police have enforced restrictions on takeaway alcohol in Broome. Broome Police Acting Officer in Charge Dave Whitnell took to social media to announce he had requested the Broome Liquor Accord to implement restrictions on takeaway alcohol. Residents will only be able to purchase mid-strength beer or a bottle of wine, while spirits were off limits. The announcement comes less than a day before the borders to the Kimberley and East Pilbara were due to open, allowing tourists to venture to the State’s north. Sen. Sergeant Whitnell said on the Kimberley District WA Police Force Facebook page the decision was not made lightly and was due to a spike in alcohol fuelled violence and out of control gathering over the past few nights. “I am hopeful this initiative will quickly restore equilibrium to our community,” the post read. “I appreciate we are on the cusp of our town being reopened to tourism and am confident this measure will be very temporary.” Broome Liquor Accord chair Harold Tracey said the restrictions would likely be in place for Thursday and Friday. “It’s not unusual for these restrictions to come into place because of different events and the police do not make these decisions to request licensees to restrict their sales very lightly,” he said.