Minns government faces pressure after fourth public shooting this week
The Minns government has been accused of ‘losing control of the streets’ after a lawyer was the fourth person to be shot in public in less than a week.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Minns government has been accused of “losing control” of Sydney’s streets after criminal defence lawyer Mahmoud Abbas, 31 was shot down in Greenacre on Wednesday.
Mr Abbas was the fourth victim of a public shooting in one week, placing Police Minister Yasmin Catley’s performance under the spotlight.
NSW opposition leader Mark Speakman accused Ms Catley of failing to give the public confidence the recent public shootings were a top priority for her.
“She needs to come out of hiding and urgently assure the community that she has been directly communicating with the Police Commissioner to make sure this is an absolute top priority and that necessary resources are being made available,” he said.
“There is an escalating issue with organised crime on our streets and the Police Minister is failing in her duty.”
Ms Catley is currently on a pre-planned tour of regional NSW, speaking to communities and police. She said the government would provide further resources to police if they are needed.
“This latest shooting is beyond comprehension,” she said.
“Some of the state’s best detectives are working around the clock to track down the gutless criminals responsible and get them off our streets … We’ve all had it with these attacks.”
Premier Chris Minns warned the perpetrators of this latest crime would feel the “full force of the state’s criminal justice system”.
“My government fully backs the NSW Police Force as they track down these violent criminals so they can be taken off the streets and thrown in prison,” he said.
Prior to the March election the Premier committed to providing 100 additional police officers across western Sydney in his first term. To date, many of the positions have yet to be filled.
The Police Association of NSW said prior to the election 250 additional cops were needed to stem crime in western Sydney.
Opposition Police spokesman Paul Toole said the police force should not have to wait for the government to get extra cops on the ground.
“Our police need resources right now to deal with this situation,” he said.
“It’s only a matter of time before more innocent bystanders get shot or killed in the escalating frequency of gun violence.
“It seems the Minns government has lost control to those who are terrorising the streets of southwestern Sydney.”
Police Commissioner Karen Webb said investigators often came up against “a wall of silence” when fighting organised crime, making community tip offs essential.
“We have overt and covert strategies in place aimed at suppressing criminal behaviour, which are run in tandem with ongoing investigations,” she said.
“Public place shootings are reckless and offenders committing these offences show a blatant disregard for their own safety and that of the community.
“It’s certainly a concern that there’s a small element of society who feel it necessary to resolve their differences through the use of violence, especially with firearms.”
Cops escort Jewish schoolchildren amid Sydney terror threat
Young Jewish students returned to school on Friday as police officers watched on outside the gates, as the alleged intended targets of a suspected terror plot have been revealed.
Norco milk truck and ute collide in chaotic morning crash
A Norco milk truck and a ute have collided on a major roadway near Coffs Harbour, with emergency services workers frantically trying to free the trapped truck driver.