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Have your say on rural crime

By Contributed

Apr 17, 2024

Country Mayors Association chair Jamie Chaffey discussing the inquiry with Shadow Police Minister and inquiry panel member Paul Toole.

Local residents are being encouraged to provide input to a new inquiry on ‘Community Safety in Regional and Rural Communities’.

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The Country Mayors Association of NSW has been calling on the NSW Government to host the inquiry, with Edward River Council pledging its support.

CMA says it is needed to “address the dangerous increase in crime in regional and rural areas across the state”.

CMA chair and Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the CMA’s Crime, Law and Order Report shows disproportionate crime levels and fewer police resources in regional and rural NSW, and it was now up to community members to bring the full extent of the crisis to the attention of the government.

“This is a great first step and now that we have the attention of our Members of Parliament, it is up to us all to make sure that we are sharing our lived experience and any suggestions we have about how to stop the severity and instances of crime,” Cr Cheffey said.

“We also need to make it clear that there is a real need for adequate support for both victims and perpetrators that will lead to a safer community. We need to share the importance of pro-active policing, a change that can only happen with an increase in police numbers.”

The CMA’s current Crime, Law and Order Report is online at https://nswcountrymayors.com.au/publications/.

The submissions deadline for ‘Community Safety in Regional and Rural Communities’ is May 31, 2024. Go to https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/inquiries/Pages/inquiry-details.aspx?pk=3042.