State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, has welcomed the news that the Hunter will receive 27 new Police Officers in the latest allocation of new recruits.
Ms Hornery has been lobbying both the Minister for Police and the Assistant Police Commissioner for additional resources for the Wallsend electorate and this is a result of a meeting last month to discuss those needs.
The Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens Hunter Local Police Districts have been ignored in previous allocations of recruits, with just 18 allocated in the last 3 years. The new allocation of 16 is a result of a lot of hard work and persistent advocating by Ms Hornery.
The new recruits will be front line staff for the local Police Districts and will be a welcome additional resource, particularly in the Wallsend electorate, which has been experiencing above normal rates of crime.
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery
“The additional new Officers are a very welcome addition to the local area. This is a good start given we have been overlooked in previous allocations of new recruits.”
“In the last 3 years, the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens Hunter Local Police Districts had only been allocated a total of 18 new recruits, so an additional 16 in this allocation is very good news.”
“Last month, my office met with representatives from the Minister’s Office and the Assistant Police Commissioner to discuss ongoing issues with resources and rising rates of crime.”
“I thank them both for following through on their word to look at resources in the Wallsend electorate.”
“The additional Officers will all be front line staff in uniform so we should see an increased presence in the Wallsend electorate.”
“I know the Wallsend electorate will be very happy with this increase, they have been very vocal and have actively supported a push for more Police.”
“Last year the Government said it would be recruiting 1500 additional Police Officers and allocating them across the State. This is a start and I expect to see more in the next round of allocations.”