Following complaints by Canberra businesses of abusive language and drunken behaviour, ACT Policing have launched City Safe, a high visibility police operation to address crime and antisocial behaviour in Civic.

Drawing officers from across the ACT, the four-week 24/7 campaign polices licenced premises, local businesses, and busy pedestrian areas in the City and Braddon. Officers will engage with shopkeepers to identify and address incidents, Chief Police Officer Scott Lee said.

Canberra is one of the safest cities in Australia, Deputy Commissioner Lee said – but every day police respond to assaults, disturbances, drug incidents, property damage, robbery, sexual assault, theft, and burglary in the area.

“Everyone in the community has a right to feel safe, and to see these sorts of incidents occurring on a regular basis in one of the busiest precincts within the ACT is very disappointing,” D.C. Lee said.

“Criminal acts and anti-social behaviour significantly impacts the community, affecting their sense of safety…”

The ACT Government will refer homeless people, the mentally ill, drunkards, and drug addicts to support services.

“This campaign is a good opportunity to remind everyone of their responsibilities when they are out and about in our City precinct,” Mick Gentleman, Minister for Police and Crime Prevention, said.

“This operation will address local businesses’ concerns regarding crime and anti-social behaviour in the area, and will assist in ensuring the community feels safe when coming to Canberra’s CBD.”

The Canberra Business Chamber welcomed the campaign.

“The Canberra Business Chamber is hearing regular reports of anti-social and intimidatory behaviour (along with some incidents of violence),” chief executive Greg Harford said.

“This has been building for some time, but appears to have been getting worse over the last few months.

“There is a real and growing issue about perceptions of safety, so it is really good news that ACT Policing is putting in place to try and address the issue.

“The Canberra Business Chamber thinks it is important that all Canberrans are able to come into the city freely, feel safe while they work or transact business, and go home safe.”

Deputy Commissioner Lee denied suggestions that crime had spiked in Civic while the City police station was closed from February to April.