By Brendan Rees
MP Brian Paynter has made renewed calls for the State Government to build a police station in Clyde North as the community lived in “constant fear.”
The Member for Bass said “the fast-growing suburb of Clyde North has borne the brunt of Melbourne’s crime wave” under the State Government, and asked Police Minister Lisa Neville if she would commit to building a new police station.
“Minister, with a house invasion or break-in every three hours in the new suburb of Clyde North, figures are the worst they have ever been. What do the families of Clyde North have to do to convince you that a new police station is vital and that your neglect of these families’ safety is putting them at risk?” Mr Paynter asked.
He added: “Minister, will you now commit to building a police station at Clyde North so that the local community, many of whom are young families, no longer live in constant fear?”
Ms Neville said the State Government was committed to the “biggest increase in police numbers” to open stations.
“What brings down crime in local communities like Clyde North is making sure we have got the right numbers of police supporting those communities. That is my commitment: to ensure that Victoria Police have the powers, the numbers and the resources they need to keep all communities like Clyde North safe,” she said.
Latest Crime Statistics Victoria Agency data showed burglaries were up 39.7 per cent in Clyde North, with thefts increasing to 58.9 per cent from 129 to 2015 in the year to June.
Mr Paynter lashed out at Ms Neville, saying his question had “nothing to do” with police numbers across the state.
Ms Neville hit back, saying: “We are going to continue to provide police with record investment, we are going to continue to support increasing police numbers.”
She said Victorians had seen the Liberal Party’s “horror show” before. “We have seen them sacking staff, undermining the chief commissioner and taping police ministers. Victorians deserve much better than that tired and dangerous proposition.”
A frustrated Mr Paynter said Ms Neville had “not even come close to answering” his question, adding “It is constituents of Clyde North who are asking, ‘Will she build a police station in Clyde North?’ ”
Casey Neighbourhood Watch chairman Rob Ward said he would support a commitment from both parties to build a police station in Casey, adding: “Clyde North would seem the logical place.”
“We’re seeing frequent reports of burglaries and suspicious activity. There is unfortunately a climate of fear in Clyde North as the area had grown so rapidly.”
