Eyre Peninsula community members say they are concerned and frightened of the rising level of crime – following a video of a disturbing bashing in Port Lincoln – after new statistics have revealed more than one assault is being reported to local police each day.
The new SAPOL data shows 220 offences were committed in Port Lincoln in January – and that 40 instances of assault were reported to police, sparking calls from the Opposition for additional levels of resourcing to boost community safety.
Shadow Minister for Police, Sam Telfer, said he has written to Police Minister Joe Szakacs seeking an urgent evaluation of police resourcing after meeting with the City of Port Lincoln Council and local Police Superintendent over the issue.
“SAPOL’s latest crime statistics make for scary reading and from the community meetings I’ve had, it is crystal clear we need more resources allocated to keep residents safe in Port Lincoln,” Mr Telfer said.
“Our local police officers are doing the best they can with the resources they have, but obviously they need more support to keep up with demand across our region, especially in our key centres of Port Lincoln and Ceduna.
“In the talks I’ve had with the local community, business owners, parents, and even police officers themselves, are fed up with the antisocial behaviour occurring in Port Lincoln and the wider Eyre Peninsula.
“I’ve written to Police Minister Joe Szakacs seeking an evaluation of Eyre Peninsula police resourcing to better understand how we can tackle this crime issue in a quick and appropriate way.
“We must also think-long term when it comes to stopping crime, and that means the Malinauskas Labor Government needs to develop a whole-of-community solution with investment in robust education and intervention programs for young people to increase safety in Port Lincoln and across the Eyre Peninsula.