Mercury (Hobart)

Judd’s fear over violent gang crime in ‘unsafe’ bayside

- JACKIE EPSTEIN

REBECCA Judd says she feels “unsafe” after a spate of crime by gangs in her bayside area in Melbourne.

The businesswo­man and mum of four took to social media to vent her frustratio­n at the state government for not caring about residents.

“So sick of the rapes, bashings and home invasions at the hands of gangs in Bayside,’’ she wrote on Instagram on Thursday. “The state government don’t seem to care. We feel unsafe. I personally know 2 women who have experience­d home invasions in Brighton in the last few weeks while they were at home.”

In response to a Seven News report on the worsening situation, Judd also commented on the Instagram page of

Liberal state MP James Newbury.

“Have these teens been charged yet or just another slap on the wrist?” she wrote.

Judd and her AFL legend husband Chris Judd bought their mansion in Brighton for $7.3m four years ago and documented its Spanish style renovation on social media.

Mr Newbury said residents and particular­ly women were increasing­ly scared and some were even starting to take matters into their own hands.

“I can tell you absolutely (Judd’s) sentiment is the same sentiment that I am getting from women across the electorate today,’’ he said.

“I am getting inundated with people who are living in streets where these crimes have occurred. They’re coming across these gangs and being forced to barricade themselves in their bedrooms.

“I am now aware of a number of people who are hiring private security.

“I also know of people now leaving keys next to the front door so that if they are home invaded they’re not fought.”

Mr Newbury said closing the Brighton police station several years ago had also instilled fear.

 ?? ?? Rebecca Judd
Rebecca Judd

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