Rising crime to be discussed at community safety forums

Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland will host community safety forums across the electorate to discuss concerns over rising crime in the region.

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

Meetings will allow locals the opportunity to raise concerns about the rise of criminal incidents locally, including theft, farm crime, assaults, and family violence. The event in Locksley will have a particular focus on farm crime.

“Several constituents across the region have reached out to me about rising incidents of crime in our towns,” Ms Cleeland said.

“People are understandably concerned, and having this opportunity to speak with the Shadow Police Minister and myself will allow them to share their experiences and give firsthand examples of what is happening in our communities.”

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.

“Labor’s continual under-resourcing of Victoria Police has seen criminal incidents in our region rise to outrageous levels and, alarmingly, le most of them unsolved,” Ms Cleeland said.

“Police numbers are going backwards – that is an objective fact.

“This lack of support 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.

“Police are doing the best they can, but they are just not being given the tools and support they need.”

More information on the time and location of the forums will be announced closer to the date on Annabelle Cleeland’s website and social media accounts.