State inquiry to place regional and rural crime in the spotlight

Regional crime will be put in the spotlight after the NSW government agreed to conduct a state inquiry.

The inquiry into community safety in regional and rural communities, announced in late March, follows increased pressure on the government to establish an inquiry as a means for people to share their experiences with crime.

A report published by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research in March stated rates of violent and property crime are considerably higher in regional NSW than in Sydney.

Statistics show an increase in crime, particularly vehicle thefts and steal from motor vehicle offences as well as break-and-enter offences in communities across regional NSW, including the North West.

Vehicle thefts have reached a 10-year high of 172 in Moree Plains Shire and 78 in Gunnedah for 2023, while Narrabri Shire experienced 41 thefts compared to 51 the year before.

Total incidents of theft has remained stable in Narrabri Shire in the past 10 years statistics show, with total offences totalling 488 in 2023 compared to 1273 in Moree and 558 in Gunnedah.

Incidents of theft include break-and-enter offences, stolen vehicles, steal from motor vehicles as well as retail and stock theft.

The high incidence in crime was also the catalyst for the Country Mayors Association, of which Narrabri Shire is a member, to spearhead its continued push for an inquiry.

Calls for an inquiry into regional crime were also supported by state organisations including NSW Farmers and the NSW Country Women’s Association.

Committee chair and Sydney-based MP, Edmond Atalla, said the inquiry would investigate the drivers of youth crime in the regions and actions the NSW government can take to improve community safety.

“Every person deserves to feel safe in their community, regardless of where they live,” Mr Atalla said.

“Over the past five years, NSW has experienced worrying increases in specific forms of regional crime, such as motor vehicle offences and break and enter offences.

“As well as looking at the root causes of youth crime, the inquiry will also examine the wraparound and diversionary services available for youth and families in the regions and rural areas.

We will consider how the NSW government can better match services to individuals and how these services can be measured, improved and coordinated to divert youth from crime.

“The committee wants to hear first-hand from regional communities and their representatives about best practice prevention initiatives – from standout community services to law enforcement initiatives and leading diversionary programs.”

Committee members include Mr Atalla as chair, deputy chair and Labor MP Hugh McDermott, independent MP Phil Donato, Nationals MP Paul Toole and Labor MP Tri Vo.

Mr Toole, the Shadow Minister for Police, continued calls on the government to address sky-rocketing crime in the months leading up to the inquiry announcement.

“Criminal activity is rife in the regions. People are being bashed in their homes, knifed in their driveways and having cars stolen from their garages,” Mr Toole said in early March.

“Our country cops are doing the best they can, but they can’t keep going on like this. A Parliamentary inquiry would help to figure out what the core issues are and what our hardworking police need to combat this issue.”

NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said while this important step of an inquiry will make room for a whole-of-government approach to the escalating crisis, he’s called for immediate action for other towns that are seeing similar issues to Moree.

“It’s good to see the Minns Labor government has finally started to listen and has started on that path, but now we need to know what measures it will put in place to help people right now,” he said.

The newly formed committee for the government inquiry will accept public submissions until May 31.