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Martin Cameron urges urgent action as youth crime surges in Latrobe Valley and Victoria

Youth crime rates in the Latrobe Valley and Victoria have sharply risen, recent tragic incidents underscore the need for swift legislative reforms and stronger police powers amid alarming statistics and community outcry.

By news@gippsland - 18th June 2024 - Back to News

A massive surge in youth offending and data from the Crime Statistics Agency has confirmed urgent intervention is required to address the skyrocketing youth crime rate in the Latrobe Valley and across Victoria, according to The Nationals' Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron. It comes as the Traralgon-based family of Dr Ashley Gordon, who was killed during a home invasion in January, renews calls for the Allan Labor government to urgently introduce reforms to the youth justice system and amend legislation to afford police greater powers.

Martin Cameron and Dr. Ashley Gordon's family call for swift measures to combat increasing youth crime in the Latrobe Valley and Victoria

Address youth crime

Mr Cameron said, "Dr Gordon's family is pleading with Labor to implement measures to ensure no family has to suffer through the trauma and grief they are enduring. Statistics released last month reveal there was a 30 per cent increase in crimes committed by 14 to 17-year-olds in 2023, and a spate of violent crime across the weekend must surely compel the Allan Labor government to address the crisis now."

"We also learned last week that a youth offender breaches their bail every three hours in Victoria, and youths aged 12 to 17 breached bail more than 2770 times last year. Despite the statistics, Labor unbelievably weakened bail laws recently by abolishing the crime of committing an offence while on bail, and this government can no longer bury its head in the sand about the crisis it has helped create," he said.

Crime policies criticised

Mr Cameron added, "Yesterday a resident visited my office to report her teenage daughter was seriously injured in a terrifying unprovoked attack on a local bus, and her daughter's friend is now fighting for life in ICU. Our police are frustrated; they do their bit by getting violent offenders in front of a magistrate, all for them to receive not so much as a slap on the wrist and be back on the streets the very same day."

"It's pleasing to see Labor has today amended the Control of Weapons Act to allow police to carry out weapons searches - but as usual it's not enough - police will only be able to conduct these searches in designated areas.

"With a State Budget that cut funding for crime prevention programs, Labor has clearly given up on its primary responsibility - to keep Victorians safe. Labor cannot manage money, cannot manage the justice system and Victorians are paying the price," he concluded. To sign the petition for change in the name of Dr Ashley Gordon, visit the Parliament of Victoria website.

Pictures from Martin Cameron MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com