Crescent Head car fire at golf course increases crime fighter group call for police
The discovery of burnt-out cars near the first hole at a seaside golf course on the Mid-North Coast has escalated calls for a permanent police presence at the once-sleepy tourist town.
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Burnt-out cars near the first hole at the Crescent Head golf course overlooking the ocean, is the latest incident to intensify the decade-long calls for a permanent police presence at the once-sleepy tourist town.
The Crescent Head Country Club golf course is in the heart of town with the caravan park, shops and houses nearby.
Concerned locals started calling the authorities just before 4am on Sunday morning.
A crew from the Crescent Head Rural Fire Service (RFS) arrived at 4.20am and took more than two hours to extinguish the blaze then mop up and make the area safe.
An RFS spokesperson said the cars were fully alight when crews got there and by the time the flames were out, the cars were completely destroyed with volunteers unable to determine the make of the vehicles.
One of the three driving forces behind the Crescent Head Crime Fighters group who wishes to remain anonymous says the community is fed up.
“I live in the community, I’ve got a job, I’ve got kids but it’s not about me it’s about the community and they’re fed up - what’s it going to take?”
She says the crime is often worse in the busy holiday period with tourists unaware of the dangers and therefore becoming easier targets.
But many say the issue is becoming more of a regular occurrence, and with more and more development taking place there is an even greater need for a permanent police presence.
Crescent Head has been without a full-time police presence for about 10 years, with officers travelling 25 minutes by road from Kempsey.
The crime fighter group was set up to give the community a platform to share information about crime so they can take action immediately.
As far back as 2016 this publication has been reporting on the issue with a spate of break-ins by armed robbers at the time prompting locals to start keeping household weapons such as rolling pins or cricket bats under their beds.
With a caravan park in prime position on the creek in the heart of town and one of the most legendary right-hand surf breaks in the world, people have been holidaying in Crescent Head for generations.
Now the town is experiencing a boom in development, including the recent approval of a 109-lot subdivision.
Some have dubbed it the next Byron Bay with a boutique surf hotel offering “barefoot luxury” one of the new concepts to come to town.
It is the brainchild of George Gorrow and Cisco Tschurtschenthaler. According to the latest marketing materials, hotel rooms will “practice the science of sleep, working with red lights and sleep enhancing sprays”.
There’s also a new $2 million, 18-hole mini golf course under construction in the heart of town.
The development boom has prompted the Crescent Head Crime Fighters to escalate their push for a full-time police presence in the town before its unique vibe is destroyed for good.
A NSW Police spokesperson said officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The spokesperson said the two vehicles involved were a Nissan Qashqai and a Nissan Dualis.
As inquiries continue, anyone with information is urged to call police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The Crescent Head Country Club was contacted but would not comment on the incident.
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