Urgent need to combat crime in the electorate, police helicopter needed

By KEVIN ANDERSON, MEMBER FOR TAMWORTH

Serious and brazen incidences of crime are deeply disturbing for communities who feel threatened, frightened, and unsafe right throughout the Tamworth electorate.

Families in our region have a right to feel safe in their homes, and ongoing serious crime is a threat to community safety and cohesion.

I have been demanding the state government take urgent action to drive down crime, including by investing in local police resources, funding diversionary programs, establishing a division of Polair in Tamworth, delivering greater police numbers, by bringing the crime inquiry to Tamworth and Gunnedah, and pushing for bail reform that meets community expectations.

The government needs to deliver a strong response to the brazen crime in our region, and I’ve already given them our comprehensive plan to keep our communities safe.

We need a division of PolAir to be based in Tamworth and service the entire Northwest. We have seen the positive difference having air support can make in the region.

We need greater police numbers, including in Gunnedah to ensure our local police have the resources they need to keep our communities safe.

We need the government’s Crime Inquiry in Tamworth and Gunnedah to hear firsthand from victims of crime in our communities.

We need funding to establish the culturally appropriate, effective Yilaan gaald dhina (Fresh Footprints) diversionary program to keep offenders away from a life of crime. These programs are endorsed by agencies and police.

We need bail reform to ensure the youth justice system meets community expectations to keep us safe.

These changes will make a significant difference in the fight to get on top of crime in our region.

Our communities have a right to feel safe in their homes and I am demanding that the government make this investment a priority and deliver on the comprehensive plan to keep our communities safe.