MITCHELL: ‘Crime crisis’ in Donnybrook
Northern Victoria MLC Wendy Lovell has called for increased police patrols in Donnybrook as a “crime crisis” sweeps the northern suburb.
Ms Lovell spoke in Parliament last week to share harrowing stories of her constituents from Olivine and other housing estates in Donnybrook, who are living in fear as break-ins, car thefts, and burglaries continue to rise.
Two women were terrified when an attacker tried to smash through the front door with a hammer while the women fought to hold the door shut.
Homes have been broken into while the owners are on holiday or overseas, and criminals are even cutting the electricity to homes, in order to disable the security cameras and prevent themselves being recorded and identified.
The local neighbourhood watch group regularly sees suspicious cars lurking in the streets of the isolated suburb, and spots thieves with torches peering inside utes and trucks searching for tools to snatch.
Ms Lovell called on the Minister for Police to act urgently to secure the safety of Donnybrook residents by instructing police to increase patrols in the suburb at night, and liaise with the local neighbourhood watch group on crime prevention initiatives.
Ms Lovell is encouraging oncerned residents from Donnybrook and surrounding suburbs to attend and share their experiences at the Victoria Police Neighbourhood Policing Forum to be held in South Morang tonight (Wed., Feb. 26) at 5.30pm.
“Police patrols need to be stepped up in Donnybrook,” Ms Lovell said.