Senior Sergeant Neale Robinson said police would be out in force in coming weeks to address drunken violence, poor driver behaviour and any resulting assaults. 

Senior Sergeant Robinson has urged party goers to be sensible, limit their alcohol intake and ensure they have transportation home. If they are going to drink, they should not drive, he said. 

Police will be carrying out focused operations in the city’s entertainment precinct of the weekend before and weekend of Christmas. 

“We ask the community to stop and think about the impact one punch can have one a life,” Senior Sergeant Robinson said.

“Our message would be – avoid those situations where a fight could start, walk and away and be the better person.” 

Ballarat Highway Patrol will continue to run a number of drug and drink driving operations over the festive period in an attempt to reduce the likelihood of trauma on the road. Drivers should expect to be tested over this period, Senior Sergeant Pat  Cleary said.