Uniformed officers at Benalla Police Station walked off their posts temporarily on Thursday as part of a series of stop-work meetings scheduled at stations across the state.
The actions were in response to ongoing pay disputes between the State Government and Victoria Police that have escalated in recent months.
The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, was in attendance as officers unveiled a large banner stating they had reached “breaking point”.
“Despite the alarming rise in crime across our communities, we are seeing pay disputes drag on and police not being given the support they need to keep our towns safe,” Ms Cleeland said.
“For months, the Allan Labor Government has mismanaged negotiations and failed to act in good faith to secure a fair pay deal for frontline Victoria Police officers.
“You can see the messages the local police are writing on their cars and the banners they are displaying during this stop work action. They make it very clear that they are not getting enough help under this government.
“Labor’s continual under-resourcing of Victoria Police must stop to ensure rising crime is addressed as a matter of priority.”
Crime is up around the region, and reports of stolen vehicles in Violet Town, break-ins at farms near Benalla and Colbinabbin, and property damage across several local towns have left residents feeling concerned.
“Instead of repeatedly denying the crime problem in Victoria, this government should be doing more to protect our communities and ensure our police are properly resourced,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Undervalued, overworked, always there – that is what our officers are saying.
“Crime is up, and the resourcing is down. It simply isn’t working, and it is leaving our police officers overworked and people in our communities feeling unsafe.”
Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) data revealed increases in criminal incidents, offences recorded, and alleged offender incidents across the Mitchell, Strathbogie, and Benalla local government areas.
In Benalla, there was an 8 per cent rise in total criminal incidents, with the number of incidents more than 24 per cent higher than the statewide average. There was also a 12 per cent increase in the number of offences recorded (36 per cent above the state average), and a 22 per cent increase in offender incidents.
In the Mitchell Shire, total criminal incidents rose by 27.5 per cent in the last year, with a particular rise of incidents in Seymour and Broadford. Offences recorded went up by 24.7 per cent to go with a 25.2 per cent rise in alleged offender incidents.
There was also an alarming 21.5 per cent rise in family violence incidents, with the number of recorded incidents 50 per cent higher than the state average.
In the Strathbogie Shire, total criminal incidents rose by 23 per cent, offences recorded increased by 14.8 per cent, and offender incidents went up 16.5 per cent.
