An additional 3,000 Victoria Police officers will be recruited under a future Liberal and Nationals government, helping to restore community safety across Northern Victoria.
The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said she regularly spoke to locals who felt unsafe in their own homes and their own towns.
“Under Labor, police numbers are down and crime is up. Our population is growing, but our police force is shrinking, and local residents are bearing the brunt of this mess.”
Ms Broad said several police stations across Northern Victoria were operating on reduced hours, including those in Kyneton and Castlemaine.
“I recently raised this in Parliament after speaking with Kyneton businesses who are suffering repeated break-ins. I spoke to a mum who told me her young daughter was working at the local supermarket before Christmas when a man came into the store saying he had a machete up his shirt. The manager restrained him and found he had a knife. It took 45 minutes for police to get there to assist when the local station is just 5 minutes away.”
Ms Broad said the death of a farmer, who was shot and found buried in a shallow grave at his Ouyen farm during Easter was shocking.
There have also been reported increases in farm crime across the region.
Ms Broad said Victoria Police now had more than 1,500 vacancies and over 40 police stations were closed or operating on reduced hours.
As part of the Liberals and Nationals’ Safer Communities Plan, a future Wilson Government will:
- Recruit 3,000 additional Victoria Police officers; and
- Reopen the more than 40 police stations closed or operating on reduced hours under Labor.
In addition, a Liberal and Nationals Government would also recruit a further 200 Public Service Officers (PSOs).
“These measures will help restore community safety and community confidence across Northern Victoria.
“Every Victorian deserves to feel safe when going about their daily lives,” Ms Broad said.
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764
