The annual blitz against alcohol-related violence was launched on Wednesday morning. 

NSW police carry out localised and regional operation targeting alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour on a regular basis.

However this weekend, all states and territories, along with police in New Zealand join forces for the blitz. 

Last year 548 people were arrested in NSW during the operation, an increase of 163 arrests on the figures from 2011. 

Officers laid 966 charges for a variety of offences including assault and affray.

This year again additional police will be deployed to patrol known trouble-spots, licensed premises, transport hubs, public parks, roads and waterways.

“Summer has arrived and that generally spells trouble for us when it comes to drunken behaviour,” Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said.

“It’s a problem that affects all jurisdictions and that’s why all Australasian Police Commissioners have formed a united front on this issue,” Mr Scipione added.

Commissioner Scipione pointed to a recent study by Monash University that suggested “one-punch” assaults had claimed at least 90 Australian lives since 2000.

“The research by the university’s department of Forensic Medicine claimed alcohol was a factor in almost three-quarters of those fatal assaults,” he observed.

“A third of these altercations occur between strangers…words are exchanged and a fatal punch thrown.”

More than 40 per cent of the fatal attacks occurred between midnight and 6am, according to the study.

Deputy Commissioner in charge of Field Operations, Nick Kaldas, warned there will be plenty of police about to deal with drunken troublemakers this weekend.

“Most people behave during the festive season but there are always some who get so drunk they want to hurt others around them or themselves,” Mr Kaldas said.

“There is a very good chance, those offenders will find themselves locked up and facing a possible life-lasting conviction.

“At the very least, you could end up with a significant fine or you might spend the night in one of our new drunk tanks.”

The Commander of Operation Unite for NSW, Assistant Commissioner Gary Worboys, appealed to Christmas revellers to “Play Safe, Stay Safe.

“We are not there to stop anyone having fun, but if you write yourself off and your behaviour starts impacting on others around you, then we will step in to act.

“I would also remind the public that whilst the Australasia-wide operation will end on Sunday, there are numerous NSW Police operations continuing right through the summer period.”