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Martin Cameron seeks urgent meeting with Police Minister Anthony Carbines over to alarming Latrobe crime statistics

Martin Cameron is calling for an immediate meeting with Police Minister Anthony Carbines in response to the escalating crime rates in Latrobe, emphasising the need for enhanced resources to ensure regional safety.

By news@gippsland - 4th October 2023 - Back to News

The Nationals Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, has renewed calls for an urgent meeting with Police Minister Anthony Carbines in the wake of new statistics that show crime in the Latrobe local government area is spiralling out of control. For the year to 30 June, there were 10,577 criminal incidents per 100,000 population recorded in Latrobe - an increase of 8.5% from last year and the highest rate of any municipality outside of Melbourne.

The undeniable crime statistics is putting business proprietors and shopping center administrators compelled to implement lockdown protocols due to the escalating frequency of violent incidents in Latrobe

Rising crime sparks concern

In the town of Morwell, criminal incidents jumped a staggering 15% for the year. The Nationals Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, said the statistics were irrefutable evidence that more resources must be allocated across the Valley as a matter of urgency. "We have the highest crime rate of any region outside of Melbourne, yet my repeated calls for adequate resourcing continue to fall on deaf ears," Mr Cameron said.

"My office continues to be inundated with calls from residents and businesses who are concerned for their safety because anti-social and criminal behaviour on streets and in shopping centres is out of control. Business owners and shopping centre management have been left with no option but to introduce lockdown procedures because violent incidents are now a daily occurrence," he said.

Appeal for urgent action

Mr Cameron added, "The petition I launched last month calling for more police and PSO resources has not surprisingly garnered an enormous amount of support and signatures from right across the Latrobe Valley, such is the pervasiveness of the issue. I also wrote to the Minister for Police requesting an urgent meeting, but I haven't heard back."

"I am again urging the Minister to respond to my meeting request and contact my office to arrange a time to visit the Valley and see first-hand the seriousness of the issue facing our region," Mr Cameron said.

Pictures from 9 News Australia YouTube channel.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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