The State Government needs to better resource local police, but the community must also play a role in tackling local crime according to The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien.
Mr O’Brien said he was concerned at recent reports of an upsurge in crime and antisocial behaviour in Leongatha in particular, as well as other towns around the Gippsland South electorate.
Mr O’Brien said he had spoken to local police and urged the community to do its bit to minimise the opportunities for thefts and burglaries.
“I’ve been campaigning for better police resources from the State Government for some time now and was pleased that nearly 2,500 South Gippslanders signed my petition that was recently tabled in Parliament.
“Our local police do a great job, but they are significantly under resourced and need more support from the government.
“However, in talking to Leongatha police this week, they’ve highlighted that many of the thefts from homes and vehicles have been opportunistic with people leaving their homes and cars unlocked and even with keys clearly visible.
“We can all do our part to reduce these sorts of crimes by making sure we lock our doors and cars and minimising the opportunities for thieves.
“I’m also aware of particular youth crime in recent weeks and I’m pleased that police have made arrests and laid charges that will hopefully address this issue.”
Mr O’Brien said it remains a concern that there is a revolving door of criminals being arrested by police but immediately released by the courts.
“The Allan Labor Government likes to blame the courts, but this is a direct result of their changes to bail laws earlier this year, including removing the crime of ‘commit offence while on bail’.”
Mr O’Brien said South Gippsland remains a relatively low crime area, but it was a concern that the annual crime rate has increased by a further 10% in the past year while crime is up nearly two thirds since the Labor Government came to power.
“We all have a responsibility to keep ourselves and our homes safe, but it’s time the Alan Labor Government look beyond the tram tracks and support communities like Leongatha.”