WHITTLESEA: Concern over Epping Police Station closures
Northern Victoria MLC Wendy Lovell (pictured) has questioned the Police Minister Anthony Carbines about unplanned closures of Epping Police Station due to staff shortages, and demanded increased numbers of police at Epping station.
Ms Lovell spoke in Parliament to draw attention to the troubling news that on July 15 this year Epping Police Station had to close due to staff shortages.
Ms Lovell shared the concerns of some who contacted her to warn about rumoured plans to permanently close Epping Station and re-distribute the officers between Mill Park and Mernda Police Stations due to ongoing staff shortages.
“It is completely unacceptable that in Victoria, local residents are being abandoned, left high and dry without a police station to visit or call, because the Labor Government has totally dropped the ball on staffing our police force,” Ms Lovell said
“According to the last Crime Statistics Agency data, aggravated robbery in the City of Whittlesea increased by 24 per cent, residential aggravated burglary increased by 31 per cent, stealing from a retail store increased by 45 per cent and motor vehicle theft increased by a staggering 81 per cent.
“Crime is out of control in Victoria, because the Allan Labor Government refuses to take a strong stance against repeat offenders, and continues to let them out on bail.
“The statistics and the personal stories of crime are both deeply troubling, and residents of Epping no longer feel safe in their community. That is why reports of under-staffing and the potential closure of Epping station are so worrying.
“Waiting too long for police to respond could mean the difference between life and death. The people of Epping deserve a police station that is open and able to provide a rapid response to calls for help, and a close place of refuge for those in need of urgent assistance.”