New 24-hour policing petition ready to be lodged

The push for 24-hour policing in Gunnedah is continuing, with a petition ready to be lodged to the NSW parliament.

An online petition earlier this year had achieved more than 1,800 signatures, with a hard copy version from local businesses now forming part of the request to the state government.

Local leaders and business owners had called for change as part of the ‘ePetition’, which requested 24-hour police staff at Gunnedah.

The newest petition has attracted more than 300 signatures in its hard copy format, with state Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson ready to take the voice of the community to Macquarie Street.

“The Gunnedah community have had enough of serious incidents of crime robbing them of the right to feel safe in their homes,” Mr Anderson said in a statement last week.

“The Gunnedah Police Station was upgraded to allow for growth and now is the time to deliver the police resources Gunnedah needs.

“An online petition with 1,846 signatures was lodged earlier this year and now there is a further push with a 324-signature paper petition from Gunnedah businesses.

“This petition demands that the Labor government allocate the funds and resources required to ensure a 24-police presence at Gunnedah Police Station.”

Mr Anderson also recently met with Oxley Police District leaders and raised the issue of police drones possibly forming part of operations in Gunnedah and Tamworth.

“I also want to see police drones operating in the area to help track offenders and keep the community safe,” he said.

“The police drones support boots on the ground by giving police real-time information on offenders, tracking stolen cars and assist in search and rescue operations.

“It’s time for the Labor government to step up and provide Gunnedah the resources they are demanding and that means a 24-hour station.”

Gunnedah Shire mayor Colleen Fuller welcomed the news that Mr Anderson was preparing to lodge a petition with state parliament highlighting the need for 24-hour policing and urgent resourcing in the shire.

“We will not rest on this issue until the Gunnedah Shire receives the resources it needs to address crime and keep this community safe,” Cr Fuller said.

“We want our shire to be a safe place for our residents to live and work, and I thank our local member for continuing this advocacy.”

Mr Anderson recently questioned the state government about regional crime last month, noting that regional areas had seen an increase in domestic violence related assault, non-domestic violence related assault, sexual assault, robbery, break and enter dwelling, steal from retail store, other stealing offences and malicious damage to property.

Mr Anderson told parliament this was from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) data over the 12 months to June 2026.

BOCSAR data shows that incidents of assault and sexual offences increased across the state in the 2025/26 financial year compared to the previous period.

While incidents of robbery had slightly declined overall, some regions had experienced an increase in this category of crime.

In Gunnedah Shire, one of the sharpest rises has been in theft.

The number of incidents recorded in 2025–26 was 676, compared to 462 in the previous period.

A breakdown of the numbers shows an increase in motor vehicle thefts, thefts from retail premises and break-and-enter.

“When will the government implement a proper plan to address regional crime?” Mr Anderson asked Police Minister Yasmin Catley.

Ms Catley responded by acknowledging the efforts of police to address crime in the state.

“Whilst no one should be and no one is – certainly least of all me – saying that the job is done, we have to acknowledge the incredible work of police to combat crime in New South Wales, particularly in regional areas,” she said.

“The BOCSAR statistics make it clear that crime across this state is stable. I am not making this up.

“That is from its media release, and I am happy to table it, if those opposite do not have it. It is very clear that crime in regional New South Wales is stable for all offence types except for steal from retail store.”