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Premier orders blitz to counter rising crime in NSW bush

The NSW government is under increasing pressure to find solutions to rising crime across the regions, with mayors and locals calling for more police resources and an overhaul of the state’s bail laws.

Youths destroy car on Dubbo street

In response to a wave of ­stabbings, vehicle thefts and home robberies across regional NSW, Premier Chris Minns has launched a fact-finding blitz, tasking multiple government agencies to immediately look at how to best tackle the crime surge.

It comes just days after The Telegraph revealed the crime epidemic has left towns crying out for more 24-hour police stations to tackle the rise in serious crime.

The cabinet office has been tasked with leading a multi-government response with the Police department, Youth Justice, Regional NSW, the Attorney-General’s office and the Department of Families and Community Services.

It comes after Mr Minns spent two hours at ­Cobham Youth Justice Centre in Sydney’s west on Monday, as part of a fact-finding mission talking with staff and youth about how the detention ­centre works and what they do in regards to crime intervention.

The centre is one of six in the state and currently holds about 65 young male offenders, aged between 15 and 21.

Chris Minns has launched a fact-finding blitz. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard
Chris Minns has launched a fact-finding blitz. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Additionally, the Premier’s department secretary will visit Moree this week following Mr Minns’ snap visit last Thursday to discuss what community programs would be effective in tacking youth crime.

“All options are on the table,” Mr Minns said.

“We know that regional communities are very concerned about this issue and that change is needed.”

Locals in NSW regional towns are calling for more action on crime after an increase of stolen and damaged cars, home invasions and car fires. Picture: FRNSW Gunnedah Facebook page
Locals in NSW regional towns are calling for more action on crime after an increase of stolen and damaged cars, home invasions and car fires. Picture: FRNSW Gunnedah Facebook page

Mr Minns told Moree Mayor Mark Johnson last week he would return to the northern NSW town with a comprehensive plan to fight crime.

The NSW government is under increasing pressure to find solutions to rising crime across the regions, with mayors and locals calling for more police resources and an overhaul of the state’s bail laws.

Gunnedah Anglican Minister Simon Waller and his wife Jenny have had their home and church broken into two times this month., Picture of the break in.
Gunnedah Anglican Minister Simon Waller and his wife Jenny have had their home and church broken into two times this month., Picture of the break in.
A 78-year-old woman in Gunnedah was attacked in her home and had her nose bashed against a door and received slashes at her wrists. Photo: Supplied
A 78-year-old woman in Gunnedah was attacked in her home and had her nose bashed against a door and received slashes at her wrists. Photo: Supplied
CCTV captures a hotel break-in at Tamworth.
CCTV captures a hotel break-in at Tamworth.

Tamworth Mayor Russell Webb called on the government to look at fixing the judicial system, which sees kids as young as 10 arrested multiple times and then immediately released back to the streets.

Tamworth Mayor Russell Webb speaking at the 2023 Bush Summit held at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre. Picture: Jonathan Ng
Tamworth Mayor Russell Webb speaking at the 2023 Bush Summit held at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“It is the judicial system that is failing us in many ways – the kids get pulled up by the cops but then the courts throw them out because there are no diversionary programs,” Mr Russell said.

“We need to see government funding for diversionary programs, places where they can be sent to a safe environment where they can get fed and receive things like career help.”

Police executed search warrants at homes in Tamworth in drugs raids.
Police executed search warrants at homes in Tamworth in drugs raids.
Gun seized by Raptor Squad officers to disrupt and prevent crime in the regional townships of Tamworth, Gunnedah and surrounding areas. Picture: NSW
Gun seized by Raptor Squad officers to disrupt and prevent crime in the regional townships of Tamworth, Gunnedah and surrounding areas. Picture: NSW
Ammunition seized during a three-day blitz in Tamworth, Gunnedah and surrounding areas.
Ammunition seized during a three-day blitz in Tamworth, Gunnedah and surrounding areas.
Police make drug-related arrest in Tamworth.
Police make drug-related arrest in Tamworth.
Dubbo resident Tristan Cameron and his partner have experienced a break in every two months for two years. Picture: supplied
Dubbo resident Tristan Cameron and his partner have experienced a break in every two months for two years. Picture: supplied

Dubbo resident Tristan Cameron, 33, has had his house and car broken into on average every two months since he moved to the Central West town two years ago.

He believed the majority of perpetrators were children and teenagers.

“The robberies were so frequent our neighbour wouldn’t even bother locking his car – he’d just empty it every night because they would break into it anyway,” he said.

In December last year while parked on the main street of Dubbo at 9pm, three kids destroyed Mr Cameron’s car, not even attempting to steal it.

“There was about $4000 worth of damage,” he said.

“I don’t know why anyone would do it, they destroyed it for no reason at all.”

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/premier-orders-blitz-to-counter-rising-crime-in-nsw-bush/news-story/49b4d894a6c2bdf99b01f77d36a427f9