Gippsland › Latest news › Darren Chester MP
Darren Chester calls for more attention to rising Gippsland crime rate, welcomes $7.5M Crime Stoppers funding
Darren Chester highlights rising crime in Gippsland and welcomes $7.5 million funding for Crime Stoppers to combat local criminal activity and enhance community safety if the Coalition wins the next federal election.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says the increasing crime rate across the region is undermining community safety and requires more attention across all levels of government. Mr Chester has welcomed the commitment from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to provide $7.5 million in additional funding to Crime Stoppers if the Coalition wins the next federal election.
Darren Chester welcomes Peter Dutton's pledge of $7.5 million to Crime Stoppers, addressing rising crime and strengthening community safety if the Coalition wins
Tackling crime together
Mr Chester said, "The Crime Statistics Agency's data illustrates a troubling trend that corresponds with rising safety concerns, showing an increase in criminal incidents across all Gippsland local government areas (LGAs) for the year ending September 2024."
"Criminal incidents rose by 7.4% in Latrobe, 11.7% in East Gippsland, and 8.1% in the Wellington Shire, with the criminal incident rate for Latrobe the second worst for crime per population across Victoria's 79 LGAs."
"Crime Stoppers is an integral part of the efforts of our communities and our law enforcement agencies to disrupt crime, and a Coalition government will provide $7.5 million over three years in additional funding, a commitment which will enable Crime Stoppers to expand its operations and protect more Gippslanders from the devastating impact of crime," Mr Chester said.
Empowering crime prevention
In 2023, almost 4,000 arrests and 10,000 charges were laid nationally because of information provided by the community through Crime Stoppers. Mr Chester said the Coalition's funding commitment to Crime Stoppers will help keep Gippslanders safer.
"Crime Stoppers is one of Australia's most respected crime-fighting organisations. It provides a safe, anonymous and independent way to report crime, empowering communities to help prevent crime in their own backyard."
"The Coalition's funding commitment will provide Crime Stoppers with a greater level of financial certainty to help Australia's law enforcement agencies crack down on the illicit drug trade and other violent and non-violent offences. This funding will assist the effort of Victoria Police and is an extremely effective way of fighting crime at a local community level," Mr Chester said.
Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Latest News
Bairnsdale Visitor Information Centre relocates, expands mobile services for flexible, cost-effective visitor support model
Independent panel completes Paynesville and Eagle Point growth review, considers community needs and environmental protection

Latrobe City Business Festival returns with range of events to connect and inspire on 2 to 18 September 2025

Latrobe City Council adopts 2025/26 budget and revenue plan following extensive community consultation and feedback

Latrobe City Council exceeds state average in Community Satisfaction Survey (CSS), commits to improvement in key areas

Tim Bull calls for shelter at Bairnsdale busy Coles Bus stop after relocation left commuters exposed

Tim Bull presents Victorian flags to Mallacoota and Cann River Colleges, praises strong school culture

Traralgon RSL continues nearly century-long commitment supporting local veterans, families and honouring their service

West Sale Airport Master Plan sets 20-year vision to drive jobs, investment and regional economic growth

Bass Coast leisure facilities now operated by Aligned Leisure, marking a new chapter for community wellbeing
