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Booze ban over Broome feud

Police placed drastic restrictions on sales of all takeaway alcohol in Broome late yesterday after a night of violence between two feuding families and widespread public disorder.

Hotels and liquor outlets with takeaway bottle shops were limited to selling mid-strength and light beer from 5pm. Every bottle shop was ordered to close by 9pm yesterday.

Sales of full-strength beer, wines and spirits were forbidden. The Roebuck Bay Hotel closed its drive-through section at 5pm.

The hotel's Mike Windle said he felt it was a shame that the majority were being penalised for the actions of a minority.

"We were instructed at 3.15pm by local liquor licensing police that as from 5pm we were forbidden from selling spirits, wines, and full strength beer," he said. "We decided to close the bottle shop at 5pm rather than having hundreds of arguments with the public."

The Divers Tavern also closed its bottle shop.

"We fully support the police and their actions in reducing the availability of alcohol to people who can't consume alcohol responsibly," tavern general manager Mark Phillips said.

Kimberley liquor enforcement officer Sgt Shayne Knox said the restriction was imposed because of a continuing feud between two families living in Anne Street and "widespread public disorder". The decision would be reviewed tomorrow, he said.