Labor promises Tweed Coast 31 police officers is they come into power

Gold Coast crims are being blamed for a crime problem in the Tweed as Labor pledges a big boost to northern NSW police numbers.

GOLD Coast crims are being blamed for a crime problem in the Tweed.

In a pledge reminiscent of a Santana song, the NSW Labor Opposition says it will deliver a big boost to police numbers in the Tweed to ward off the “evil ways” of Queensland crooks.

NSW Opposition police spokesman Guy Zangari was in Tweed Heads on Friday to promise 31 new officers for the Tweed-Bryon district, saying the increase would assist in dealing with “undesirables’’ from the north.

“There are challenges north of the border when the undesirable lot come here and try to craft their evil ways in our state,” Mr Zangari said.

NSW Police carry bags, possibly evidence, found along the shore of the Tweed River during a case. (AAP Image/Tim Marsden)

OTHER NEWS:

Security bashing accused committed to trial

Burleigh star banned for ball tampering

Missing phone could hold key to Coast woman’s drowning

He said the growth of the NSW north coast added to the pressure.

“It is a growing area, there are people coming in at a rapid rate,” Mr Zangari said.

“It’s a great area to visit as well but what we do know is that there are challenges north of the border when the undesirable lot come here and try to craft their evil ways in our state.’’

But unlike the lyrics of the Santana song — “you’ve got to change your evil ways, baby’’ — NSW police would not wait around.

NSW Police Public Order and Riot Squad members (AAP Image/Tim Marsden)

“We need to make sure that the police who are here are protecting the community and are working hard to eliminate that rough element,” Mr Zangari said.

Extra funding for mental health and police station security were also part of Labor’s election promise.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN — JUST $1 FOR THE FIRST 28 DAYS

An extra $12 million would be added to funding of the Workforce Improvement Program, which targets police mental health, while an $80 million commitment was made to upgrading security at stations.

Labor Tweed candidate Craig Elliot said he believed this was the most significant police announcement in years.

“As a former police officer, I have seen first-hand the pressure our police in Tweed are under,” he said.

“Our police do great work but it is a fact that under Geoff Provest and the Nationals, Tweed has less police today than we had in 2012.

“The local police association has publicly identified that they are 31 officers short and I’m pleased that Labor will deliver the police numbers needed to keep Tweed streets and suburbs safe.”