Locals get tough on crime at community safety forums

Concerned locals have gathered across the region to have their say on rising crime at community safety forums hosted by Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland.

Ms Cleeland was joined by Shadow Minister for Police Brad Battin at meetings in Broadford, Benalla, Euroa, and Locksley on Wednesday, June 12.

The meetings tackled issues including the increase in crime locally, particularly thefts, farm crimes, assaults, and family violence incidents, as well as the need for more police resources being shared with country towns.

“I understand that several people in our region, whether it be in town or on farms, have been feeling more vulnerable to crime than usual in recent times and I’m so glad they were able to share their stories with us,” Ms Cleeland said.

“Hearing about the incredible efforts of households, farmers, and businesses and what they are doing to keep safe was inspiring, whether it be reinvigorating their Neighbourhood Watch programs or increasing their property surveillance.”

With the Shadow Minister for Police in attendance, the forums also provided information on the current policing situation for towns like Euroa that remain isolated from major police hubs.

“With 35 weeks of continuous protests in Melbourne, regional police keep getting dragged into the city to manage protests and are taken away from vital duties locally,” Ms Cleeland said.

“This lack of support locally threatens to leave rural communities without a policing presence and sends a signal that the safety and protection of our rural communities doesn’t matter.

“Many of these small country towns are too far away from a major centre for police to respond to an emergency situation within a reasonable timeframe.

“I look forward to there being increase in police resources in our towns in the near future, so that everyone feels safe in their home, farm, and business.”

Criminal incidents in the past 12 months have seen an increase across most of the region, with the percentage of those being unresolved rising too.

• Within Benalla, criminal incidents have risen by 11.2 per cent while unsolved cases are up to nearly 39 per cent as opposed to 31 per cent last year.
• In the Mitchell Shire, there has been an 11.6 per cent rise in criminal incidents, with 39.2 per cent of cases being unsolved – up from 30 per cent last year.
• In the Strathbogie Shire, criminal incidents are up 9.6 per cent with a staggering 56.6 per cent of cases remaining unsolved – up from 41.3 per cent.