Konin tightened its nightlife with a ban on alcohol sales between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Since February, police interventions linked to alcohol have dropped by almost 70 %, confirming the measure’s effectiveness.
Impact of the Nighttime Alcohol Sales Ban
The ban—exempting establishments such as restaurants and pubs—has been in effect in Konin since February 1. Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., alcohol may not be sold in stores or gas stations. The city council adopted the regulation last year with the aim of enhancing residents’ quality of life and security, reducing nighttime police interventions, and limiting alcohol access, especially for minors, the mayor’s office said.
According to PAP, based on data from Konin police, there were 124 domestic interventions from February through June, compared with 405 in the same period last year—a decline of nearly 70 % year‑on‑year. Total police interventions in this period were 4,395, slightly lower than the 4,582 actions recorded in 2024, a decrease of 187 interventions, or just over 4 %.
Positive Outcomes in Kraków
Similar results have been reported by other cities. Since July 2023, Kraków has banned alcohol sales between midnight and 5:30 a.m. “A significant reduction in police interventions during the ban’s enforcement period was observed,” the Kraków city council reported last year. Over the 12 months the ban was in force (July 2023–June 2024), alcohol‑related police interventions fell by 48.5 % compared with the same period when the ban was not active. Reports to the city guard dropped by 31.2 %, and violations uncovered by guards fell by 47.9 %.
Nighttime Prohibitions Across Polish Municipalities
The Polish Press Agency reported earlier this year that between 2018 and 2024, 176 Polish municipalities introduced a nighttime prohibition (some later repealed the bans). In April this year, the ban took effect in Poznań’s Jeżyce district. Earlier, in 2018 such a ban was introduced in Old Town, and in 2023 in the Wilda and Swiety Łazarz districts. Consultations to extend the ban citywide are underway. Nighttime prohibitions also apply to nine districts in Wrocław, where discussions are ongoing about a citywide extension. Similar measures have been introduced in Zakopane and Katowice.
Source: Gazeta,
