How long should a patron ban be: an examination of police-imposed barring notice records in Western Australia
Policing: An International Journal
ISSN: 1363-951X
Article publication date: 19 January 2023
Issue publication date: 23 March 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Patron banning is widely used in response to disorderly behaviours in/around licensed venues, but there has been limited analysis of specific policies. This paper explores key findings in relation to police-imposed barring notices in Western Australia (WA).
Design/methodology/approach
WA Police provided de-identified data for 4,023 barring notices imposed between 2011 and 2020 and offender records for each recipient, to 30 June 2020. The data were analysed to identify patterns and trends in relation to ban length, recipient type and associated offending.
Findings
Mean ban lengths increased across the period (from 4.46 months in 2015 to 6.82 months in 2019). Longer initial bans (of 6–12 months) were associated with a lower likelihood of a subsequent ban – with each additional month associated with an 11.4% increase in the likelihood of not receiving a second ban. Across the dataset, some notable anomalies were identified for individuals categorised as prolific offenders.
Originality/value
Research examining the effects of patron banning is limited but, to date, has generally not supported presumptions of improved patron behaviour. WA adopts an individualised approach to barring notice lengths, following review of the incident and offender. The findings suggest that, while barring policy is appropriate, a number of operational refinements can help WA Police to optimise their behavioural effect/s.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author(s) wish to acknowledge the support and assistance provided by WA Police in undertaking this research. WA Police Research Governance has approved the publication of this paper. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of WA Police and any errors of omission or commission are the responsibility of the author(s).
Funding: This work was funded by WA Police, following a competitive tender process led by Associate Professor Clare Farmer and Professor Peter Miller. WA Police sourced and de-identified the data that is analysed in this paper. Professor Peter Miller has received funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC) and Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), grants from NSW Government, National Drug Law Enforcement Research Fund, Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), Cancer Council Victoria, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Northern Territory Government (NTG), Australian Rechabites Foundation, Northern Territory Primary Health Gaming and Racing and the Australasian Drug Strategy Conference. He has acted as a paid expert witness on behalf of a licensed venue and security firm.
Citation
Farmer, C., Miller, P., Taylor, N. and Baldwin, R. (2023), "How long should a patron ban be: an examination of police-imposed barring notice records in Western Australia", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. 46 No. 2, pp. 260-276. https://doi.org/10.1108/PIJPSM-07-2022-0104
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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