Lang Lang residents demand return of full-time police officer

LANG LANG residents have called on the Victorian Government to reinstate the town’s full-time police officer.

Lang Lang Police Station

LANG LANG residents have called on the Victorian Government to reinstate the town’s full-time police officer.

Statistics show criminal offences in Lang Lang and surrounding towns have increased by 72 per cent since the town lost its full-time police officer in 2011.

Lang Lang, in West Gippsland, is serviced by officers from Koo Wee Rup, who attend the station two days a week for four hours.

In Lang Lang and surrounding areas there were 381 criminal offences committed last year, including 201 property and deception offences, 27 drug and 52 assault offences.

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Brian Candy, who has lived in Lang Lang for 13 years, said the town deserved to have a full-time police officer.

“The scout hall was broken into a few weeks ago and over the past two years the local hardware store, bowling club, bakery, post office and chemist have all been robbed,” Mr Candy said.

“When we do have problems police generally don’t get there until the next day because other police stations including Koo Wee Rup and Pakenham are often short-staffed.

“We have actually had police come all the way from Moe, which is 73km away.”

Mr Candy said Lang Lang police station was built in 2004 and it was a “waste of tax payers’ money” to have it left unmanned.