THE people of the Derwent Valley have had enough of the ongoing rate of crime, two Labor MPs say. Member for Lyons Jen Butler MHA and Member for Derwent Craig Farrell MLC have called a community meeting for this Sunday, October 15, to discuss issues and concerns about the ongoing crime occurring in the Derwent Valley.
Mr Farrell said it was disappointing to see so many sporting groups, households and businesses being targeted for break-ins, theft and property damage. Ms Butler said this week’s arson attack on the former high school hostel in Blair St was the final straw and the community needed to know what was going to be done to bring crime under control. The community meeting will be held at The Valley Sports Bar (former football clubrooms), 21 Back River Rd, New Norfolk, at 11am on October 15.
“Reintroduction of a community policing model is a priority,” Ms Butler said. “The people of the Derwent Valley want to know their police officers and they also want the police officers to know them,” she said.
The monthly crime report provided to New Norfolk Neighbourhood Watch lists 13 separate incidents in September but a recent meeting chaired by Derwent Valley mayor Michelle Dracoulis heard that many more incidents were going unreported.
Tasmania Police advises that it has a suspect in relation to the theft of various items from a shed and a parcel from the porch of a house in Barnett Ave on September 7, thanks to security camera vision. There were reports of motor vehicle stealing at New Norfolk and Plenty during the month, and motor vehicle tampering at New Norfolk and Boyer. A large number of plants was stolen from a business in Ring Rd on September 13 and fuel was stolen from business premises in Back River Rd on September 10.
Report any crime or suspicious behaviour by calling police on 131 444 or CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000. Information can be given anonymously.
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