Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has joined a chorus of leaders calling on the NSW Labor Government to back a parliamentary inquiry into rural and regional crime following a recent spate of break-ins in the electorate.
Mr Williamson said he was aware some communities in the Clarence and Richmond Valleys have recently been subject to malicious break and enters, robbery, and theft and he wants to ensure local police have every resource available to catch the perpetrators and lock them up.
“I am in no way pointing the finger at our hardworking local police. They do an incredible job under very difficult conditions, but they deserve to be backed by government,” Mr Williamson said.
“That is why I strongly support the Country Mayors Association of NSW report, endorsed by the Police Association and NSW Farmers, calling for an in-depth inquiry into the causes and remedies to a spike in crime across country NSW.
“The report paints a very clear picture on a law-and-order crisis in regional communities and our already-stretched police officers deserve every ounce of support to tackle it.
“Just prior to Christmas I wrote to Police Minister Yasmin Catley in support of a parliamentary inquiry and I am disappointed that she has ruled this out.”
Mr Williamson said statistics clearly demonstrate crime is substantially higher in rural, regional, and remote communities compared with our city counterparts, and it was not a time to be dismissive but to act.
“The most recent data shows youth crime continues to rise, especially stealing motor vehicles and break and enter offences,” Mr Williamson said.
“We need to have a look at everything from the formula used to determine the allocation of police numbers to current resources and response times and reoffending rates.
“Front line policing needs to reflect present-day requirements in areas where police stations don’t operate 24/7 in every town.
“Importantly, we need to hear first-hand the experiences of people living in rural and regional communities who have been subject to crime in their homes and in their businesses.
“People need to feel safe and secure in their local community and an inquiry is a step in the right direction to start to turn this around.”
