Crime prevention has been under the spotlight this week, with the Narrabri Shire Council hosting a series of information sessions in towns across the region.
Council joined forces with NSW Police, Narrabri and District Community Aid Service, Rural Crime Prevention Team and Hunter New England Local Health District to deliver a five-day Crime Prevention Week program.
The program has involved community awareness and engagement meetings, covering important issues such as rural and business crime, home and cyber safety, bullying and online scams, domestic violence, and drug and alcohol minimisation.
“It’s an initiative that’s come from the crime prevention committee, which council run, and it’s a great idea,” said Chief Inspector Robert Dunn, Officer-in-charge of the Narrabri police sector.
“We have crime prevention weeks in NSW, but we’ve never been able to have this sort of focus – there’s a number of presentations around different topics like home security, business security, scamming,” said Chief Insp. Dunn following one of the sessions held in Wee Waa on Tuesday.
“Rural is a big one too; the Rural Crime Prevention Team, who are based across NSW will be coming and doing their own presentations, which is just fantastic for awareness of rural property theft.
“Knowing what to do and when to do it, how to report things and the importance of reporting,” added Chief Insp. Dunn.
“It’s been very well organised by the Narrabri Shire Council.”
Chief Insp. Dunn said the crime prevention sessions were a chance for officers to strengthen their relationship with locals by meeting people in their communities and in a relaxed environment.
“It’s a very important facet of policing to have that interaction with the community at times other than crises, so they get to know and trust the police, and so they will report things, and so they will come to us if there are issues,” said Chief Insp Dunn.
“It gives people the opportunity to meet and chat to the local cops who they see driving around and walking the streets.”
Narrabri Shire Council mayor Ron Campbell said Crime Prevention Week aimed to raise awareness and provide support to the community.
“Drug and alcohol abuse and domestic violence can become an issue for individuals and their family members,” Cr Campbell.
“The theft of livestock, produce and equipment are also of major concern while scammers use stealth tactics to commit online fraud which can impact local people including business owners and landholders in the shire.
“Council is committed to the implementation of programs that improve crime prevention and risk management and encourage and enhance health and wellbeing services.”
So far, sessions have been held in Narrabri, Wee Waa, Boggabri, Gwabegar and Pilliga, and there will be more this week, including:
Thursday, June 16
Drug and alcohol minimisation 10am-11am
Venue: Multi-purpose room,
Narrabri Aquatic Centre, Tibbereena Street.
Hunter New England Local Health District.
Personal, home and cyber Safety 11.30am-12.30pm
Venue: Multi-purpose room, Narrabri Aquatic Centre, Tibbereena Street.
NSW Police
Drug and alcohol minimisation 2pm-3pm
Wee Waa Community Arts & Cultural Centre, 22 George Street, Wee Waa
Hunter New England Local Health District
Business security and online scams 6pm
Venue: HACC Building, Brent Street, Boggabri
NSW Police
Friday, June 17
Personal, Home and cyber safety 10am-11am
Venue: Gwabegar Community Hall, Anzac Parade, Gwabegar
NSW Police
Bullying and Online Scams 11am-12pm
Venue: Gwabegar Community Hall, Anzac Parade, Gwabegar
NSW Police
Tackling rural crime 12pm-1pm
Venue: Gwabegar Community Hall, Anzac Parade, Gwabegar
Rural Crime Prevention Team
Tackling rural crime 2pm-3pm
Venue: Pilliga Community Centre, 9 Lagoon Street Pilliga
Rural Crime Prevention Team
Saturday, June 18
Narrabri Community Kiosk
Information Stall 9am-12pm
NSW Police and Narrabri Shire Council.
