Nowra locals call for more police on the streets amid recent criminal activity

A community and local officials are calling for increased police presence in a NSW south coast region, following a recent spike in crime including stolen cars and attempted break-ins.

Nowra is 160km south of Sydney on the NSW south coast. Picture: Google Maps.

“Distressed” south coast community members are calling for more police on the streets after a spike in crime from stolen cars to attempted break ins.

Nowra – 160 km south of Sydney – has seen a spate of crimes in recent weeks, with locals taking to social media to call for more police to ease the disaster.

Rhiannon Wensley, of South Nowra, said someone attempted to forcefully enter her home this week.

“I think they were after my car keys,” she said.

“Very thankful they didn’t get in.”

Rhiannon Wensley's door was damaged in the attempted break-in. Picture: Rhiannon Wensley

A West Nowra resident – who wished to remain nameless – said a “strange lady” in dark clothing attempted to enter their house at 9pm one night.

“I didn’t answer her being a strange time of night and situation,” they said.

“But just a reminder to everyone to keep their eyes open with all the recent activity happening.”

Security camera footage of the hooded woman outside the West Nowra home.

Car thefts have increased across Nowra in recent days, with Barney McKinnon having his wallet, car keys and car stolen from his property.

“[They] came through the backdoor and stole my wallet and car keys off the kitchen counter,” he said.

“They then steal my car. Make sure you lock your doors, people.”

Nowra Police Station. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

Daniel Marsden also had his car stolen in Sanctuary Point this week.

“People broke into our house and stole keys, my car and my dad’s wallet,” he said.

The recent crime wave has ignited calls to increase police presence in the region.

Local Maddy Rose said there needed to be more police in the entire Shoalhaven.

“We need police on the street after dark in Nowra all the way down to Ulladulla,” she said.

Shoalhaven Councillor Paul Ell has called for an increased police presence. Picture: File

Another local Tammy Dickson said increasing police numbers wouldn’t solve the issue, rather the “system” needed to change.

“You can put as many police on the streets as you want, but it won’t change the unfortunate cycles that’s happening in the community,” she said.

Police and Counter-terrorism Minister, Yasmin Catley. Picture Thomas Lisson

“The answer is always ‘let’s build more jails’ instead of creating a system that provides more rehab and councillors and other required services to turn mindsets around.”

Shoalhaven Councillor Paul Ell joined the calls, saying a number of “distressed residents” contacted him about recent incidents.

“People are telling me they don’t feel safe in their own homes,” he said.

Nowra Police Station is manned 24 hours a day and Mr Ell believes if smaller stations, like the Sanctuary Point station, were also manned overnight, crime would ease.

“I support calls for a greater police presence in villages such as Sanctuary Point, where we desperately need the police station to be manned 24 hours a day,” he said.

Police and Counter-terrorism Minister, Yasmin Catley, said police were “working around the clock” to keep communities safe.

“I know there are real issues around crime in our regions and NSW Police are doing everything they can to address this,” she said.

However, Mrs Catley said decisions to increase police numbers were made by local commanders.

“We want to get to the bottom of these complex problems and tackle the root causes of offending,” she said.

“This requires everyone from state to local government, community organisations, support services and education to work together.”

A South Coast Police District spokesman said in most cases, cars were stolen because of thieves’ access to keys.

“Police are reminding locals to lock their vehicles and not leave anything valuable in them, to deter opportunistic thieves,” he said.

“Don’t give thieves any reason to go through your vehicle.”

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