As most people in Otago get ready to go on holiday, the region's police staff are preparing to manage the extra workload that the holidays will bring.
This year, police operations targeting drinking, driving and general disorder, will be in place throughout Otago during the holiday period - all with the safety, and longevity, of its citizens in mind.
In Dunedin, extra foot patrols have begun in the central city and will continue until Christmas Eve, while assorted traffic campaigns, including "Operation in Excess" will continue until December 26.
Extra staff will be rostered on for the New Year's Eve celebrations in the city, and about 70 Dunedin staff will transfer to Central Otago, where they will help local officers with policing at Queenstown, Cromwell, Wanaka, Alexandra and Ranfurly during the holidays.
This year, officers stationed in Wanaka will be joined by police commissioner Howard Broad, who said when he visited Dunedin earlier this month, that he always spent New Year's Eve working the beat at one of New Zealand's popular holiday destinations.
During the whole of the holiday period, police will also be keeping an extra close eye on speed, as the speed limit tolerance is reduced to 5km for the holiday period.
Superintendent Paula Rose, national manager of road policing, said speed and alcohol were the key areas police would be focusing on this year.
She reiterated their usual pleas for drivers to exercise planning, patience and preparation.
The official holiday period will begin at 4pm on Christmas Eve and end at 4pm on January 5.
Last night, health professionals and community organisations throughout Australia and New Zealand joined police for this year's second "Operation Unite" - a blitz on drunken violence.
The operation saw police run checkpoints, spot licensing checks at hotels, bars, clubs and outlets where alcohol was sold, and generally target drunken behaviour.
Officers were accompanied by partner agencies including Maori wardens, community patrols, council licensing officers, public health and ALAC representatives.
