Woolgoolga community calls for police station to be manned 24/7

Woolgoolga residents are pushing for a 24/7 police station after a spate of worrying incidents - but an MP says it’s not going to happen while people post on Facebook instead of calling the cops.

Woolgoolga residents are pushing for a 24/7 police station after a spate of worrying incidents - but an MP says it’s not going to happen while people post on Facebook instead of calling the cops.

The Woolgoolga community is calling for the town’s police station to stay open around the clock after a spate of break-ins, underage parties and instances of teen violence.

The community has raised concerns about youths getting up to no good and despite school now kicking back off for the year, some believe the issue will remain.

“We’re over it”

Resident Diane Weeks said the Woolgoolga community was frustrated and concerned.

“We’re over our cars getting stolen, houses broken into and beach parties that leave rubbish and broken glass,” she said.

Woolgoolga Police Station. Picture: Matt Gazy

Ms Weeks suggested a neighbourhood watch, with meetings and a chance for the public to liaise with police.

She has lived in Woolgoolga for more than five decades and believed police numbers have been dropped to “cut costs”

“The phone used to be connected – now it transfers you (to Coffs-Clarence police),” she said.

Woolgoolga Beach was left damaged and trashed following underage parties. Picture: Coffs Coast Regional Park Trust Board

“Most days and nights, the door is locked and no one comes …

“We’re over it. It’s not local police’s fault – it's the (state) government’s."

It’s not the first time Woopi residents have aired their concern. After a meeting with Woolgoolga residents in 2018, Inspector Gorman said: “there are housing developments under way, like Hearnes Lake and Safety Beach, so in time there will be a need for more police”.

Crime data

However, Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh said the crime statistics did not support the need for 24 hour policing.

“People need to report crimes to the police rather than on Facebook pages,” he said.

He assured the public that police were always patrolling and on-the-go.

Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh says the community has to report crime to police rather than taking to social media. Picture: supplied

“They’re always on standby. Their time is not spent behind a desk. They're out investigating, or on the field,” Mr Singh said.

Mr Singh said Coffs-Clarence police have among the highest workloads in this region compared to other NSW towns.

Coffs-Clarence Police Superintendent Steve Clarke. NSW Police has stated two on-call officers are in the Woolgoolga for “immediate response at all hours”. Picture: Bill North

“The police go to areas they are needed and Coffs Harbour and Toormina have higher crime rates,” he said.

According to BOCSAR, offences relating to breaking and entering non dwelling and steal from motor vehicle offences rose by around 35 per cent from 2020 to 2021 in Coffs Harbour and Grafton.

Resources stretched

Councillor Jonathan Cassell – who lives near Woolgoolga – said the community have “every right to feel concerned”.

“We rely on police and their resources are stretched across our LGA,” he said.

He said police presence was important to deter would-be criminals.

“It could take police 45 minutes to get from Coffs Harbour to here and teenagers move quickly,” he said.

Mr Cassell said communities were more vulnerable without an active police presence.

Councillor Jonathan Cassell said the community have “every right” to feel concerned. Picture: Facebook

Last year, several underage parties at Woolgoolga beach left rubbish strewn across the beaches, as well as fights, drinking and drug taking.

There were also several reports of teen violence and bullying at the Woolgoolga skatepark – just across from the station.

Kim Wiggins, 50, from Woolgoolga said there was generally not enough police.

“If there were more police in Coffs Harbour, they could be present in the surrounding suburbs,” she said.

Kim Wiggins says the Woolgoolga community could benefit from more police presence at the station. Picture: supplied

She said her father served as a sergeant in Woolgoolga from 1985 to 1991 and townsfolk felt reassured knowing police were right around the corner.

A police spokesman said two on-call officers were in the Woolgoolga Sector for “immediate response at all hours”.

“The sector is also supported by Coffs Harbour Police Station, which is operational 24 hours a day,” a spokesman said.

Last week, a dedicated police team known as “Raptor Squad” was dispatched to the region and has already been busy.