Crime across the Shepparton District continues to rise, prompting renewed calls raised in Parliament by The Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe, for local police to be adequately resourced.
In questioning the Minister in Parliament, Ms O’Keeffe has called on the Minister for Police, Anthony Carbines, to adequately resource the Mooroopna Police Station.
“The station is rarely open, leaving many residents of Mooroopna frustrated and vulnerable when it comes to crime in the community,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
The station was built back in 2013, following a $1.8 million investment made by the former Liberal Nationals Government, replacing the old station that had served the community for more than 50 years.
Ms O’Keeffe said that the station currently has no regular opening hours and residents are questioning as to whether it is open at all to the community.
“Our region is significantly neglected when it comes to our police stations and resources, I have called on the Minister for Police numerous times now to provide more support also to the Shepparton Police Station.
“Seventy-five per cent of the Shepparton police’s time is taken up with dealing with domestic violence incidents, which is taking them off the streets and unable to get out to callouts in the community. This also has a significant impact on our police officers.
“I have also called on the Minister and the government directly to address the desperate need for a dedicated Family Violence Response Team to be located at the Shepparton Station,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
Ms O’Keeffe’s calls come at a time when newly released data by the independent Crime Statistics agency shows that crime is continuing to rise across the Greater Shepparton and Moira Local Government Areas.
“Criminal incidents in Greater Shepparton is up by 6.9 per cent along with Moira Shire by 0.4 per cent. Aggravated robbery, motor vehicle theft and retail theft continue to rise across the region.
“Breach of family violence orders now sits as the number one crime in the Shepparton District electorate.
“Our local police work tirelessly, and I am so grateful for all that they do but it is clear that they need more resources and support on the ground so that they can get to where they need to go, and to keep our communities safe.”
