Calls for backup as police struggle with ice-related crime
WESTERN Sydney police say they are ‘drowning’ in ice-related crime with murders, attempted murders and shootings linked to ice as the NSW Police Association desperately calls for dozens of new officers to be able to do their job ‘properly’.
Blacktown
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WESTERN Sydney police are “drowning” in rising ice-related crime, according to the state’s police union.
Mt Druitt and Nepean police area commands were singled out as needing more cops to tackle the “all-pervasive” issue.
NSW Police Association executive member Detective Sergeant Aaron Rynehart said ice “dominates” the work of police, and can be linked to almost every crime category.
“We’ve had murders, attempted murders, shootings … all linked back to ice. It’s a massive contributing factor,” he said.
He said Nepean police needed 85 more officers on the street, including eight detectives, 15 proactive crime officers and 10 cops to “walk the beat”.
Mt Druitt needs 42 more police officers, with 15 of those in new detective positions, to do their job “properly”. Blacktown police have called for 53 extra officers.
“Local police are so stretched that they’re drowning, just dealing with the symptoms of ice and users rather than focusing their efforts on the supply chain,” Sgt Rynehart said.
“All we can do at the moment is mop up the problems, rather than getting to the root of the issue and stopping the drugs before they hit our streets.”
He said the lack of staffing in Mt Druitt’s detective department was a “disgrace”.
Data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research’s latest quarterly report showed amphetamine use, possession and trafficking is up more than 10 per cent since 2013.
In the Blacktown local government area, possession/use of amphetamines rose 15 per cent between July 2013 and June 2018 — with 266 incidents last year.
In Sydney’s outer west and Blue Mountains, including Penrith, the 336 incidents was a 16.7 per cent rise over five years.
Police Minister Troy Grant said the State Government had delivered consecutive record budgets for NSW Police, adding 1000 extra officers since 2011.
“Police Commissioner (Mick) Fuller is currently undertaking a detailed plan, in consultation with the Police Association, to determine the number of officers that NSW needs for the future. This includes the duty types required and where they should be based,” he said.
He said the report would provide the basis for an “informed decision” on community needs.