ASSAULT, property crime, alcohol and drug-related offences, and property damage are the four main areas of focus in Gunnedah’s five-year crime prevention plan.
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The draft plan was put on display by Gunnedah Shire Council (GSC) following a meeting last week.
The proposed plan highlights the key areas affecting the Gunnedah community on the back of research conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and NSW Police.
Crime Prevention Committee chair Colleen Fuller said over the past five years offences raging from arson to trespassing have stabilized or reduced across the board.
“Gunnedah is a different town from what it used to be,” Cr Fuller said.
“We have definitely seen a turn over the years from when I first got involved in 2004 to 2008 to now.”
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Cr Fuller said that while crime rates have stabilised, Gunnedah is still facing many pressing issues.
“Domestic violence is always a concern,” she said.
“It is a tough issue to tackle and not an easy one to solve.
“As well as that, I feel there are drug problems in town to a certain degree.
“I have my concerns on drug issues and one of the big goals for me at the moment is to support and help young people who have gotten on drugs.”
The committee chair said implementing CCTV in certain areas had helped drive down crime.
“Having cameras installed in town has probably been the biggest factor in the turnaround I have seen in my time,” she said.
“You only have to walk up and down Conadilly Street to see the difference.”
Gunnedah Liquor Accord president Greg Thomas said the local accord is “all for” CCTV.
“CCTV has made a huge difference for us,” Mr Thomas said.
“A few years ago we did have some issues but thanks to the diligence of the accord, the local publicans and the crime prevention committee there really isn’t any need for us to be on the police radar anymore.”
Mr Thomas said he would support the installation of more CCTV around Gunnedah.
“It can be so helpful for so many reasons,” he said.
“Honestly I would be in favour of as many cameras as possible because along with the collective efforts of the police, and the other crime prevention groups I think it is working really well.”
Cr Fuller encouraged everyone in the community to have their say on crime prevention.
“It’s everyone's community so it’s up to everyone to contribute,” Cr Fuller said.
“Even if it is a small thing, small things become big things and they make the difference.
“As always I encourage everyone to report anything they see, if you see something say something and report it to either Crime Stoppers or the police.”
Copies of the draft crime prevention plan are available at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or from council’s administration building.
For more information contact council’s community and social planner Debra Hilton on (02) 6740 2100 or council@infogunnedah.com.au
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
