New statistics show how Sydney's contentious lockout laws are displacing violence, with pro and anti-lockout lobbyists both claiming the data proves their point.
The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research report, released on Monday, shows spillover areas outside the CBD and Kings Cross lockout zones have experienced increases in violence.
The rate of assaults in areas such as Newtown, Bondi, Coogee and Double Bay increased between 11.8 per cent and 16.7 per cent after the laws were changed in February 2014.
However, the decrease in assaults in restricted areas was much larger, leading to a net reduction in violence.
The Last Drinks Coalition, made up of unions representing doctors, nurses, paramedics, midwives and police, said there was no justification for walking away from the restrictions, which were introduced after a string of one-punch attacks.
Hospitals in spillover areas - the Royal Prince Alfred and Prince of Wales - weren't having to deal with extreme injuries seen in St Vincent's near Kings Cross before the lockout policy, the coalition claimed.
Spokesman and president of the Australian Salaried Medical Officers' Federation, Dr Tony Sara, said while some violence was being displaced, it was also less severe.
"We have saved dozens of lives due to the imposition of the lockout laws," he said.
The NSW Police Association called for the laws to be implemented statewide.
Tyson Koh, campaign director for anti-lockout group Keep Sydney Open, said the report proved the laws didn't solve the problem but merely shifted it.
Mr Koh also rejected claims the violence experienced in spillover suburbs wasn't as extreme.
He said that was based on "shonky evidence" because facial fractures and head trauma without correlations to alcohol-fuelled assaults weren't taken into account.
"This shows that a complex variety of measures need to be on the table in order to keep the city buzzing but also keep users of the night time economy safe as well," Mr Koh said.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian says the laws will be reviewed in 12 months.
"What these laws have done is certainly bring attention to these issues, but really encourage that attitudinal change about what is acceptable behaviour when people are out trying to enjoy themselves," she said.
Former premier Mike Baird slightly relaxed the laws in January this year with closing times for venues in Sydney's CBD and Kings Cross pushed back from 1.30am to 2am while the last drinks rule has been extended another 30 minutes to 3.30am as part of a two-year trial.
