State Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said she regularly spoke to locals who felt unsafe in their own homes and their own towns.
“Under Labor, police numbers are down and crime is up,” she said.
“Our population is growing, but our police force is shrinking, and local residents are bearing the brunt of this mess.”
Ms Broad said several police stations across northern Victoria were operating on reduced hours.
“I recently raised this in parliament after speaking with Kyneton businesses who are suffering repeated break-ins,” she said.
Ms Broad also said the death of a farmer, who was shot and found buried in a shallow grave at his Ouyen farm during Easter, was shocking.
“There have also been reported increases in farm crime across the region,” she said.
Ms Broad said Victoria Police now had more than 1500 vacancies and over 40 police stations were closed or operating on reduced hours.
As part of the Liberals and Nationals’ Safer Communities Plan, a future Wilson Government promises to:
- Recruit 3000 additional Victoria Police officers, and
- Reopen the more than 40 police stations closed or operating on reduced hours.
In addition, a Liberal and Nationals government would also recruit a further 200 public service officers.
“These measures will help restore community safety and community confidence across northern Victoria,” Ms Broad said.
“Every Victorian deserves to feel safe when going about their daily lives.“
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