More police needed to crunch gangs

Tuesday 15 Feb 2005

Dr Muriel Newman - Press Releases - Crime & Justice

ACT Deputy Leader and Police spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today called on Labour to bolster police numbers, in light of a warning from the Police Association that gang warfare is likely to rise as a result of the growing trade in methamphetamine drugs.

"Any escalation in gang warfare will be difficult for police to deal with under current circumstances," Dr Newman said.

"Under Police Minister George Hawkins' tenure, the police have become under-staffed, under-resourced and under pressure.

"For police to cope with the impending threat to public safety they need an extra 2,152 officers to match the policing rate of Australia, which has 24 sworn officers per 10,000 people - compared to New Zealand's 18.

"It's time that the Government got tough on the gangs and cracked down on the trade in methamphetamine drugs. The best way to do that is to put more police on the streets," Dr Newman said.

ENDS

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