FROM THE NEWS DESK

News of the Matamata Police Station upgrade to a 24/7 operation has been welcomed by community leaders. And judging by the police report featuring on page 4 this week, it looks like the upgrade is well justified. Police have dealt with everything from a stabbing, smash and grab crime, burglaries and a garden thief. The Government plans to upgrade the Matamata police base in the next financial year. The station is an important asset given its location to neighbouring police stations such as Tauranga, Rotorua and Hamilton. In the neighbouring Waipa district, community leaders there are desperately trying to lobby their politicians and the Waikato district police commander after Cambridge was denied an upgrade to a 24/7 police station. Cambridge and Matamata are different. But a common denominator among all rural towns is the view that law and order is shaping up to be a major topic at this year’s general election.

Lawrence Gullery