Resident concerns about an increase in crime, particularly burglaries, car thefts and home invasions, in South West Rocks and Crescent Head, are top of mind for Councillors as they advocate for action and answers from the State Government.
Youth crime in the Kempsey Shire, which is of increasing concern to members of the Kempsey community, was shown by a 200 strong attendance at a recent public forum about the topic.
The Mayor wrote a letter to the Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley MP, asking for her assistance in increasing the police presence to 24 hours at the South West Rocks police station, and seeking support for a new PCYC in Kempsey, that would provide a safe and fun place for young people to socialise in the Kempsey Shire.
Dear Minister
I write to bring to your attention the severe escalation of youth crime across the Kempsey Shire, and to seek your support for the implementation of 24-hour Police staffing in South West Rocks and Crescent Head communities to help mitigate the serious public safety situation that exists.
Current Escalation in Crime
Our community is growing increasingly concerned about the ongoing serious incidents of burglaries, car thefts and home invasions that have occurred across the Shire, particularly in South West Rocks and Crescent Head. In some cases, weapons have been used to threaten residents in their own homes and businesses and it is evident that a greater Police presence is urgently needed.
In May this year, in response to the escalation in crime activity, more than 200 community members gathered at South West Rocks Country Club for a public forum. The panel of speakers included local State and Federal Members of Parliament, NSW Police, representatives from NSW Government agencies, along with community leaders. The panel spoke about potential solutions to help address this issue, particularly focussing on youth crime, break and enters, and theft. The panel agreed that there is no quick fix to this problem, but it was evident that all three levels of government are focused on finding the multifaceted solutions required.
Kempsey Shire Council operates in excess of 100 CCTV cameras and provides footage to the Police several times per month. Council remains committed to working closely with the community, local service providers and government agencies, including attendance at the Police and Community Consultative (PACC) Meetings, to determine what local solutions need to be implemented to deliver the best outcomes for our young people and the wider community.
NSW Police Staffing Levels
We all acknowledge that the Police in our Shire do amazing work, however they are constrained by inadequate staffing levels. South West Rocks has a relatively new Police Station, unfortunately, it has limited actual Police presence with no officers on duty 24-hours. This means that officers must drive a minimum of 30-40 minutes to attend a crime scene. Furthermore, perpetrators appear to know of the travel times and when the Police Station is unstaffed. The actual and projected growing population in South West Rocks leads residents to question what level of population the town requires to secure a 24-hour Police presence, especially with dramatic increases in crime statistics.
Crescent Head no longer has a local Police Station, and therefore Police are required to drive from Kempsey or neighbouring towns to respond to crime incidents.
Socio-Economic Disadvantage
A major problem within the Kempsey Shire is the economic disadvantage that has existed in the area for decades and the flow-on social impacts on the local population. The Aboriginal community
comprises around 13% of the population within the Kempsey Shire and are a fundamental part of our social fabric. The Kempsey Shire rates poorly (sixth worst of all local government areas in NSW) in terms of the 'social disadvantage index' (Australian Bureau of Statistics SEIFA Index) across all indices produced by the ABS (2021).
While it is acknowledged that the issue is complex and will need long-term plans that are meaningful and sustainable to address the existing social disadvantage and its associated impacts, the implementation of 24-hour Police staffing in South West Rocks and Crescent Head communities would help mitigate the serious public safety situation that exists.
Over 400 community surveys have been completed, and the findings are being collated, but we have already seen that the lack of activities for young people, and the anti-social behaviour that sometimes result, is a common concern across the Kempsey Shire.
Council continues to work closely with both government and non-government organisations to support a range of initiatives and events aimed at supporting our youth. These partnerships are essential in creating comprehensive programs that address the root causes of youth crime and provide meaningful support and opportunities for young people. Programs such as the highly successful, Macleay Youth Laneway Festival and the West Kempsey Community Garden project, provide valuable skills and a sense of accomplishment for the youth involved.
To provide further community support to reduce youth crime, Council is seeking government support to provide a new PCYC in Kempsey that would deliver a venue for social interaction in a safe and constructive environment for local young people. Council has been in discussion with the CEO of PCYC NSW and also other key stakeholders in relation to the location and size of such a facility.
It is important to note that within the Kempsey Shire community there is a large and silent majority that deals with the impact of crime and safety risks unheeded. The human impact of this situation is not the damaged property and crime statistics it generates, but the very real and personal effect on the residents and frontline service providers who are unable to live and work safely within their local community.
