Home invasions, cars torched: Kempsey’s chaotic crime wave

Furious locals in a NSW town are venting their frustration over vehicle thefts, vandalism and break-and-enters, while police operate at 70 per cent capacity.

A regional town is at breaking point, with residents furious over a never-ending crime wave, while teenage offenders taunt them by boasting of their illegal activities on social media.

Kempsey, 420km north of Sydney, remains a hot spot for break-and-enters, car thefts and assaults, while local police stations remain at only 70 per cent operational capacity.

In the past six months vehicles have been torched, tyres stolen, and multiple homes and businesses looted.

Many of the targets are elderly, including one woman who had her walking frame snatched in broad daylight.

The are detailed on the Facebook page “Kempsey Crime Reporting”, which is updated almost daily.

CCTV of break-ins and attempted break-ins in Kempsey over the past few months. Picture: NSW Police

“To the dogs who stole the rims of my black V8 Commodore … we have you on camera” said one post from this month.

“Thieves broke into my house and took my car keys, wallet, iPhone 16 and some cash” another post reads.

A separate post, showing a photo of an elderly lady in front of a brand-new car reads: “There has been a home invasion around midnight last night in West Kempsey. She was attacked and held at knife point. Her handbag and white MG were stolen.”

The shocking stories on the Facebook page came to The Daily Telegraph’s attention after a recent visit to Kempsey.

During the trip, crime was the biggest talking point among local residents and business owners, who had all been directly or indirectly impacted.

“You feel violated, you really do. It’s terrifying. It’s a sick feeling right to the pit of your stomach” said Gail Cheers, who has been broken into three times.

“The first time they took my car and took money out of my handbag. The next time they came back they tried to take my car again.

“The third time they came back they were frightened away … but they were armed. We could see they were armed with machetes.”

Residents are being repeatedly broken into and valuables stolen. Picture: NSW Police

A parliamentary inquiry into regional crime last month held a hearing in Kempsey, where police advised the local force was operating at only “70 per cent authorised strength”.

“Some commands are probably down to the low 60s… resourcing is a challenge” said Superintendent Shane Cribb, Commander of the NSW Mid North Coast District.

In its submission to the inquiry, the Police Association of NSW said: “Understaffing, increasing work demand and burnout means it is getting harder and harder for police to provide the same level of service.”

Gail Cheers has had intruders at her house three times and says it makes her feel sick to the pit of her stomach. Picture: Richard Dobson

CCTV of break-ins and attempted break-ins in Kempsey over the past few months. . Picture: NSW Police

Social media is not only a tool for victims in Kempsey. Many of the stolen cars have ended up on two Instagram accounts, which boast more than 10,000 followers.

The page contains videos of young criminals stealing cars and then using them for high-speed joy rides.

Other videos show them travelling at 240km/h, in high-speed pursuits with police, as well as brazen break-and-enters.

Michael Kemp, the local MP said: “The community is fed up. They are asking for answers, begging for change, wanting to feel safe in their own homes”.

A police spokesman said a “number of operations” had been run in the area to “address property related-crime”.

This saw 98 people arrested and hit with 199 charges earlier this year.

“This resulted in a significant reduction of property-related crime,” they said.

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