Labor’s Jen Butler wants an alternative policing model to tackle New Norfolk crime
Once a sleepy Tasmanian town, now New Norfolk is in the grips of crisis, and one MP is calling for solutions. What she’s suggested.
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A state Labor MP is pushing for a community policing model, as crime continue to take its toll on what was once a considered a quiet, sleepy suburb.
Jen Butler, Member for Lyons, and local police inspectors and sergeants met with the New Norfolk community to discuss the future of policing in the Derwent Valley on Sunday.
“The people of Derwent Valley have been talking about an out of control crime wave and the recent fire at Carinya hostel is evidence that really, enough is just enough,” Ms Butler said.
It comes after residents told the Mercury areas in the Derwent Valley, particularly New Norfolk, had become a “hotbed” for crime.
“Many residents have been affected, whether its cars [that] have been stolen, anti-social behaviour, theft, arson – it’s out of control,” Ms Butler said.
“I don't think it’s just a policing issue, it’s a justice issue.
“[It’s] whether or not we’ve spent enough in that area, whether or not there’s been enough funding for our legal system because [it is] very clogged up at the moment and whether or not there’s enough funding for alcohol and drug rehabilitation.”
Ms Butler said she spoke with Police Minister Felix Ellis last week about different models that could be introduced to mitigate crime.
“Also the cost of living is a massive issue as well in the Derwent Valley so its not just a policing model,” she said. “But we are following up with the policing staff to introduce a community policing model to the Derwent Valley because the community here want to know their police officers and they also want their police officers to know them.”
Mr Ellis did not attend the meeting, but an official was there on his behalf.
“The Derwent Valley is a country town where everyone knows each other and what’s happening at the moment with crime in the area just does not fit the culture,” Ms Butler said.
“We’re hoping to get some solutions at the meeting.”
‘Fed up and fearing for our lives’: Sleepy suburb swept up in crime wave
October 14, 5am
Buildings torched, their community clubs vandalised, cars stolen and homes pillaged – residents of the Derwent Valley have had enough.
On one street, a tradesman’s ute has been “milked” of 150 litres of diesel fuel.
A few streets over, the home of a recently deceased elderly woman is stripped and robbed – including the stove.
Criminals are taking over the “peaceful agricultural community” in rural Tasmania – one caught in the grips of what one MP says is a full-blown crime wave.
The Derwent Valley, particularly New Norfolk, is now a hotbed for crime, according to residents, who say they’re “fed-up” and at their wits’ end.
New Norfolk resident Anne Salt said one of the most “disgusting” examples of crime in the area was when a woman who died recently had her house “stripped and robbed of everything, including the stove”.
“It doesn’t get any lower than that,” she said.
Ms Salt, who has lived in the area since 1980, said there had always been crime in New Norfolk, but she’d “never seen it at this level”.
“It’s happening weekly and has really intensified over the past five months,” she said.
“People are anxious, people are concerned and people are frightened.”
Ms Salt said she would like to see police in the area 24/7.
“The powers that be need to give the justice system a complete overhaul,” she said.
Resident Pat Marshall, whose house has been broken into three times, said some people were “fearing for their lives”.
“Even if a possum moves at night people get scared thinking it’s someone breaking into their home or trying to steal their car,” he said.
Mr Marshall also called for 24/7 manned policing in New Norfolk.
He said Police Minister Felix Ellis needed to be made aware of the outcry from residents.
Data suggests more people are settling in the region than ever before. With it, a sales pitch for a laid-back ‘home on the range’ lifestyle. The reality is not so idyllic. Just this week, a vacant building originally renovated for student accommodation went up in flames – a blackened final straw for the locals who call New Norfolk home.
Tuesday’s blaze on Blair St – a case of arson – was a stark reminder for Ms Butler, who said a government promise made in 2017 to ramp up community policing in the Derwent Valley has fallen by the wayside.
Fast forward six years and crime has become “out of control,” she said.
A new state-of-the-art police station was built in New Norfolk last year but “it wasn’t what the community asked for,” Ms Butler said.
“There may be a new police station, but the community asked for permanent policing and police who are engaged with and understand the local community.”
Premier Jeremy Rockliff told media when the station opened: “Remote and country area policing has such an important role in our state, and this new station will help ensure that local policing services continue to be first class, now and into the future.”
Ms Butler said the 2017 election promise to improve policing in the region remains “unfulfilled”.
The Labor MP said she was hearing “constant” reports of homes being broken into, cars being stolen and sporting clubs being ransacked and vandalised – including the golf, cricket and football clubs.
“When thieves broke into the cricket club, they stole $10,000 worth of electrical equipment,” Ms Butler said. “A man who had his ute stolen told me there was little to no follow-up from police.”
She also said the response time from police in relation to active crimes was “delayed”.
The ire from residents has prompted Ms Butler to hold an urgent community meeting, where she will gather with residents at the New Norfolk Football Club on Sunday from 11am.
In a statement from Tasmania Police, Acting Inspector Tony Stewart said police were “committed to protecting the community, through combating anti-social and criminal behaviour”.
“New Norfolk Station has 14 officers, an increase of five police officers since 2014, and there is also one officer allocated to each of the nearby stations of Bushy Park, Hamilton, and Maydena,” Inspector Stewart said.
“When New Norfolk members conclude duty or require additional resources, they are supported by police from Bridgewater Station, which operates 24/7.”
Inspector Stewart said New Norfolk was also frequented by road policing services and Taskforce Saturate, created to deal with repeat offenders.
The Mercury sought comment from Mr Ellis’ office, but was directed to Tasmania Police because the matter was “operational”.
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