State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, will today debate a Notice of Motion calling on the Police Minister to properly resource Local Police Districts to help reduce rising crime in the Wallsend electorate.
The Notice of Motion was given in February when local businesses and residents in Wallsend were being slammed by a tide of petty crime.
Ms Hornery held a roundtable meeting with the Commander of the Newcastle City Police District that resulted in increased patrols which had a positive impact and the crime wave temporarily receded.
The problem with increasing patrols in Wallsend is the reduction of patrols in other areas. There is such a shortage of Police Officers that they are failing to arrive at triple zero emergencies within the 12 minute benchmark times.
Police are doing the best that they can with the resources they have, but the simple fact is that the Wallsend electorate sits on the fringe of three different Local Police Districts and has been neglected when it comes to the allocation of policing resources.
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery
“I have lost count of the number of times I have stood up in Parliament and urged the Government to allocate more resources to Wallsend.”
“Our local Police are doing an incredible job with the resources they have, but people in Wallsend are losing faith in the ability of Police to help them. When I advise those complaining of crime to contact the Police Assistance Line, they insist that nothing will come of it. Their frustration is growing.”
“They should be frustrated with this Government, with its refusal to give our hardworking Police Officers the resources they need.”
“We need a more permanent solution than temporarily increased patrols. Despite our success in combating petty crime earlier in the year, problems persist.”
“I call on the Minister for Police to work with local Police Districts to see that they get their fair share of staff and resources. The people of Wallsend deserve it.”