Richmond and Clarence Valley people power is needed to encourage the Government to take real action against the current regional crime crisis, local State MP Richie Williamson has declared.
“Richmond and Clarence Valley police officers do a great job day in day out, not least because the previous Liberal and Nationals Government funded a massive boost in numbers,” Mr Williamson said.
“However, even the Sydney Labor Government acknowledges that crime is now higher in regional NSW than in Sydney.”
Mr Williamson said Labor’s regional crime package doesn’t go far enough and he needed Richmond and Clarence Valley locals to share their experiences of crime on a new website, www.regionalcrime.com.au.
“This will help me and other regional MPs to be successful in our efforts to convince the Government to take real action,” Mr Williamson said.
“I acknowledge the Government announced an anti-crime pilot program for Moree to help find solutions in that regional town, but that is not much use if you live in the Richmond or Clarence valleys or other regional communities.
“It also doesn’t take away the need for a Parliamentary Inquiry to look at the core issues of the problems and give our police the backing and resources they need to address the issue.
“We need real solutions to a real and growing problem and the Government needs to respond to and provide support to each regional town’s individual needs.
“Residents should also report all crime to the police, because these statistics are used when decisions are made about officer allocations,” Mr Williamson concluded.
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