Protesters marching along the Princes Highway in Werribee on Saturday had a clear message for the state government: We need more frontline police in Wyndham.
Low numbers didn’t dampen the spirits of the organisers, who expected 1200 people to attend, saying the crowd of 50 still had an important message.
Co-organiser of the event Safwat Ali said the group was made up of concerned Wyndham residents whose main objective was to campaign for a higher police presence following a spate of aggravated burglaries.
“We’re trying to show the police and authorities the numbers,” Mr Ali said. “We’re trying to work with the police and state government because, at the end of the day, we know we can get help from them only.”
Police Association figures reveal that Wyndham has 45 police for every 100,000 residents, compared with a state average of 102.
The association says Wyndham will need another 159 officers in the next five years to reach and maintain the current Victorian ratio.
Mr Ali said the group was also campaigning for the tightening of bail laws and more community engagement programs for youth offenders.
He spoke after four youths aged from 14 to 17 were charged over an aggravated burglary in Williams Landing last week.
“If they’re committing crime at this age, what will happen when they become adults?” he said. “We aren’t trying to push them [out]; we want them to come back to the community.”
The group plans a hard-copy petition, which it will present to local state MPs.
Earlier on Saturday morning, the newly formed Tarneit Neighbourhood Watch group hosted its first community safety meeting in response to a spate of home invasions across the region.
Former police officer Ron Fenton, Maori Wardens chairman James Smith and members of Neighbourhood Watch groups were among the speakers as a crowd of about 200 posed questions about how to handle a home invasion.
Mr Fenton acknowledged community frustration but urged attendees to comply with offenders. “You’re entitled to defend yourself from bodily harm within reason,” he said. “The other option is to simply be compliant.”
