POLICE MINISTER REFUSES TO BACK RURAL CRIME INQUIRY

During budget estimate questioning today Police Minister Yasmin Catley was asked if she would be supporting the 84 councils and countless local communities calling for help. 

The Minister responded by saying she will not be announcing her support for an inquiry. Shadow Minister for Police Paul Toole said he was flabbergasted by the Minister’s response. 

“An inquiry would give us the answers we need to questions like what the core issues are and what our hardworking police need to combat this crime,” Mr Toole said. 

“This is a Minister who is turning a blind eye to the issues at hand, especially if it doesn’t apply to a metro area.

“This situation cannot go on, we can’t have residents afraid to step out their front door. That’s no way to live, and nobody deserves to feel that way. 

“We need to ensure we have enough police on the ground, with the resources they need to proactively address and deter criminal activity and make rural areas a no-go- zone for potential wrongdoers,” he said. 

“We need a bi-partisan supported inquiry to address regional and rural crime, it’s that simple.”

NSW Country Mayors Association in support with NSW Police Association and NSW Farmers recently revealed that crime, law and order is now in the top five emerging issues for NSW with their research showing up to 90 per cent of crimes including vehicle theft, breaking and entering, sexual assault and domestic assault are happening here, in our regional communities.