The City of Newcastle works with NSW Police, the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing and other stakeholders to reduce the level of non-domestic violence related assaults in the local government area.

Assaults in the inner city have significantly decreased since the change in late night trading hours of hotels and clubs in May 2008. Council supported the Police in their application to implement a range of restrictions including changes to the trading hours of 14 licensed premises.

Council works closely with the Police and Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing through the Crime Prevention Partnership and assists in the implementation of the Newcastle LAC Crime Prevention Partnership Action Plan focused on reducing the level of assaults. The Action Plan has strategies that focus on:

• compliance issues such as Alcohol Free Zone enforcement and Responsible Service of Alcohol enforcement
• planning and design issues such as late night trading restrictions on food outlets and community safety audits
• transport issues such as late night bus services and secure taxi ranks and
• education and awareness issues such as responsible drinking behaviour and identification of hotels with high rates of assaults.

Council is a member of the Newcastle and Hamilton Liquor Accords and works with licensees to improve safety in and around licensed premises.

Council also played a key role in the establishment of the Nightcare initiative which is a project that creates safer environments in the inner city and Islington and aims to reduce the harm associated with binge drinking and drug use.

In 2008, Council received funding through the Federal Government's National Binge Drinking Strategy to implement a multi-agency approach to reducing binge drinking in the inner city. This included the provision of 2 years funding for the Nightcare project and the purchase of a van for The Loft Youth Arts and Cultural Centre. The van has been outfitted with multimedia and entertainment equipment and will provide transport for young people to and from activities, providing a safe alternative to binge drinking and antisocial behaviour.