‘Something needs to change’: Calls for police beat continue

After five thefts and an uncomfortable run-in with a previous robber, a local jeweller has started a new push for a police beat in a hinterland town.

Nambour shop owner Keira Fiorenza and Martin Hunt Member for Nicklin (LNP). support increased police presence on the streets with a new Police Beat. Photo: John McCutcheon / Sunshine Coast Daily

AFTER five thefts and an uncomfortable run-in with a previous robber a local jeweller has started a new push for a Nambour Police Beat.

Nambour Jewellers owner Keira Fiorenza started a local petition on behalf of the Nambour community which now has 2000 signatures in favour of the new addition.

Mrs Fiorenza said, while she had been a victim of several robberies, it was the community feedback that motivated the petition.

"After several thefts and robberies, myself, I had a lot of customers coming in the store expressing their concerns about safety in the Nambour area, so it prompted me to think, 'Well something needs to change'," Mrs Fiorenza said.

"It was just a realisation that we need more police presence in the town and I just felt that it (a police beat) would benefit the town."

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Member for Nicklin Martin Hunt tabled the petition in parliament and asked the Minister for Police to provide the resources for a Nambour Police Beat urgently.

Mr Hunt said Nambour police were stretched and introducing a Police Beat would help improve the community's confidence.

"It's about people feeling safe in the streets and it's about our reputation … if we allow disorderly behaviour in our public spaces then people lose confidence in shopping and waking around and enjoying the CBD which should be enjoyed by families," Mr Hunt said.

"But to have a permanent positive police presence in Nambour would give that confidence back."

The ex-policeman said it would only work if extra officers were provided.

"The beat must be staffed with an extra officer and resources, not taken from the current Nambour pool who are just stretched beyond their limits already looking after not just Nambour, but Bli Bli, Rosemount, Woombye, Mapleton and other surrounding areas," Mr Hunt said.

After being offered free rent for a space in Nambour's Centenary Square Mr Hunt said the offer was "too good to refuse".

"A generous local landlord has even offered to provide the premises to government for free. Surely this is not too much to ask for?" Mr Hunt said.

Mrs Fiorenza has experienced five different robberies involving goods valued between $600 and $22,000 but she said what's concerning is she ran into the mastermind behind the first theft after he was recently released on parole.

"The first one was in the afternoon around school time. It involved one man with a stocking over his face and a getaway driver," Mrs Fiorenza said.

"He has just gotten out and I just ran into him."

Mrs Fiorenza, who has owned her store for six years, said the Police Beat being in C-Square would deter criminals that travel to Nambour.

"Out of all the thefts that we've had there is actually only been one from Nambour. All the rest have travelled to commit the crimes, so I think having a police presence right near the train station would be beneficial," Mrs Fiorenza said.

Mr Hunt said Nambour "needs a shot in the arm, it needs things to change, it needs a bit more confidence".

"Us Nambourians love our town. We want to take the streets back so to speak, we want it to be a family friendly community space. It's got a great history and it's got a great future and this is part of it," Mr Hunt said.

"We've just had the Reimagine Nambour project which we've done as a community funded by the Federal Government and council and one of the issues identified was community safety in our streets and the confidence of people that shop in our streets.

"If you've got a higher chance of being caught that sort of behaviour is deterred."

While the petition has been tabled, Mr Hunt said locals could email the Police Minister to show their support.