Police predict spike in alcohol-related crime after Aldi wins right to sell $2.79 wine
Police have voiced their concerns over the sale of cheap alcohol saying "the lower the price, the higher the consumption".
Aldi Harrisdale, in Perth, has been approved to sell alcohol in their store despite initially being rejected due to wanting to sell some varieties for less than $3.
The supermarket giant is now allowed to sell 60 wines, 16 beers, 15 spirits and four ciders after they appealed the initial rejection.
Three varieties of wine will be sold for just $2.79.
Police are warning the low cost can prompt people to drink more which could lead to more alcohol-related crime.
West Australia Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan said it has the potential to increase alcohol-fuelled behaviour.
"Usually the lower the price of alcohol, the higher the consumption," he said.
"And usually the higher the problems for alcohol related crime."
Some customers are happy at the prospect while others believe it could be a mistake.
One Aldi customer said "you're in there anyway so you may as well get it", while another one said she believes "it should be kept seperate" from the rest of the grocery items.
There are strict conditions when it comes to selling the wine including monitoring it by CCTV, it can't be refrigerated and it needs to be clearly separated from grocery items.
Julie Stafford from McCusker Centre for Action on Alcohol and Youth said it's not a good option.
"This is going to normalise alcohol by having it on the supermarket shelf near the bread and milk."
The supermarket has 20 stores in Perth with three able to sell alcohol at the moment.
