News

Emergency Services | February 04, 2019

Police numbers down and crime up under Labor

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP says latest Victoria Police data confirms a fall in the number of new police across Victoria over the past four years under Daniel Andrews.

An analysis of Victoria Police employee by location data for the December 2018 quarter shows that Labor delivered 2,040 or a staggering 823 less additional police and Protective Services Officers over the last four years compared to the Coalition government’s total of 2,863 between 2010 and 2014.

During the same period Victorian Crime Statistics Agency figures reveal offences in the Southern Grampians Shire Council have risen 66.3 per cent since Daniel Andrews took office in December 2014.

“Our hardworking police officers do an outstanding job with extremely limited resources and are doing their utmost to protect our people, uphold the law and ensure safe communities,” Ms Kealy said.

“Regional Victoria already faces a greater challenge to recruit and retain police. More police and modern, fit-for-purpose facilities are urgently required.

“Daniel Andrews’ cuts to police numbers are only making the problem worse and I am calling on the Andrews Labor Government to boost police numbers and provide our local police with the facilities they need to protect our local people,” she said.

Ms Kealy has repeatedly called on the Andrews Labor Government to provide funding to replace the Coleraine Police Station and residence, which is past its use by date and no longer meets service demands and security requirements of a modern station.

The Hamilton police station is also in need of renovation, with the holding cells in an unacceptable condition to hold suspects under arrest for more than a few hours.

“Violent crime is out of control in Victoria and it is unforgiveable that the Andrews Labor Government has allowed this reduction in police numbers to occur and failed to fund much needed local facility upgrades,” Ms Kealy said.