MP says no reason to be alarmed
TWEED Heads residents should “not be concerned” despite two murders in less than a month, says Tweed MP Geoff Provest.
Mr Provest made the comments following the fatal shooting of Ace John Anthony Hall at a warehouse in South Tweed on Saturday afternoon.
Just weeks earlier, 46-yearold father Charlie Larter was stabbed during a daylight brawl in Knox Park, Murwillumbah.
“I don’t think there is any reason to be concerned,” Mr Provest said.
“Make sure you lock your back and front doors – we do live in a different world today.”
The number of police in the Tweed region has been under the microscope this month with claims police are understaffed with many out on sick leave due to stress.
NSW Police Minister Troy Grant this month said he had spoken to the police commissioner about the issue and hoped it would be addressed by the end of the year.
Mr Provest said the question of more police officers was an “operational issue” and it was “up to the superintendent” to request more officers.
He said police officer levels were on par with other regions despite only 10 additional officers being appointed since 2012. The population has risen by 5000 since that time.
“If you look at the other crime stats, we are currently in a three-year low,” he said.
Mr Provest said domestic violence was the only crime to have risen in the past three years.
It is understood domestic violence rates have increased due to a rise in the number of women comfortable to report incidents to police.
Tweed Byron Local Area Command Superintendent Wayne Starling declined to comment on the staffing issue.