Meet to air crime fears

Cops say call 000, not Facebook

LARA police will continue to crack down on offenders amid a fear of increased crime in the town.

Neighbourhood Watch cofounder Helen Nihill said more and more people were taking to social media to report crime instead of calling 000.

The perception of increased crime in the area has led officers and concerned citizens to call a community meeting next month.

“What prompted it is that some cars are being broken into or stolen,” Ms Nihill said.

“There is just general unrest.

“People seem to like to get onto Facebook and ‘say someone has broken into my house’.

“Don’t tell Facebook, tell the police.”

The meeting comes close to a year after a spike in anti-social behaviour in Lara led to a police crackdown.

In June officers made more than 50 arrests, zeroing in on vandalism, public nuisance and theft offences related to a number of young people congregating in public spaces, including the town’s troubled skate park.

In December two boys were charged with more than 50 graffiti-related offences after allegedly causing more than $60,000 of damage to homes and buildings.

Lara police officer in charge Sergeant Leanne Rayner said police would continue to patrol troubled areas.

“We are working hard,” Sgt Rayner said.

“People do take to social media to report crime. We want people to call police.”

Sgt Rayner said the March meeting would provide an open forum for police to share the work they were doing and also for community members to air their concerns.

“We don’t want people to leave their homes unlocked or their cars unlocked,” Sgt Rayner said.

Latest Crime Statistics Agency data shows property and theft offences rose from 506 in 2017 to 642 in the 12 months to September last year. The meeting will be held on March 18 at Lara Sporting Club from 7pm.

Anyone who witnesses crime should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or 000.

“People seem to like to get onto Facebook and say ‘someone has broken into my house’. Don’t tell Facebook, tell the police.” LARA NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH CO- FOUNDER HELEN NIHILL