Police are cutting back foot patrols in central Dunedin, but say it will "not necessarily'' bring a return of violence.
An Alcohol Accord, which included central city bars not letting in patrons after 4am, late-night buses and more police foot patrols, has been a success, police say, as it has led to a decrease in assaults in the central city.
Dunedin tactical co-ordinator Senior Sergeant Allan Grindell said there was a "pretty good atmosphere'' in the central city, although intoxication levels were still too high.
Because police had to look at the best use of staff, the four officers brought in specifically for foot patrols would go on other duties. Dunedin has about 100 frontline police staff. It was too simple to say reducing police patrols would automatically lead to more crime, he said.
"Crime will not necessarily go back up. Crime goes up and down. There are a whole lot of variables.''
Snr Sgt Grindell said other reasons for the drop in assaults could have been poor weather and the long Easter break.
The accord was formed after a major issue with "migrating'' drinkers causing violence in Dunedin. Licence-holders have agreed to continue with the 4am ban on entry, but late-night buses will cease after this weekend.
Snr Sgt Grindell said police needed to study the data, although the past two weekends had been relatively quiet.
Police would still be visible in the centre city and Dunedin City Council city safety officers were patrolling, as well as Campus Watch staff.
Snr Sgt Grindell said the extra police patrol staff had been removed from investigation duties, and that work was suffering.
"The level of intoxication is still high, higher than we want.''
Friday nights were quieter, while Saturday nights did not get busy until after midnight. Octagon bar owner Richard Newcombe said it was still early days for the 4am policy and it was hard to tell whether it was having an impact.
Bars were "a little bit'' quieter after 4am, as it was a slow process to educate some people.
