Crime criticism receives rebuttal

A statement by the Member for Gosford Ms Kathy Smith in the NSW Parliament about the high crime rate and lack of policing on the Peninsula have been rebutted by the Member for Terrigal Mr Adam Crouch, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Mr Matthew Wales and Brisbane Local Area commander Superintendent Danny Sullivan.

Mr Crouch said he was appalled at Ms Smith's criticism of local police and called on her to apologise.

Mr Wales said that updated statistics from the NSW Police contradicted her statements.

"Across the board, crime rates have dropped and prosecution success rates have increased.

"The NSW Police Force confirmed that in the year ending September 2015 break and enters have dropped nearly 16 per cent, motor vehicle theft is down nearly 24 per cent and prosecution rates are at an impressive 93 per cent," Mr Wales said.

Supt Sullivan said the figures spoke for themselves.

"Rates of crime are definitely on their way down on the Peninsula," he said.

"The gap in my services provision is in reducing the fear of crime and that is a perception," Supt Sullivan said.

"My message to the community is to report incidents, give us a chance to do our job," he said.

Hansard, 24 Feb 2016

Kathy Smith, Member for Gosford

Media release, 3 Mar 2016

Debra Wales, Office of Adam Crouch

Email, 1 Mar 2016

Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

Interview 3 Mar 2016

Danny Sullivan, Brisbane Water Local area Command

Reporter: Jackie Pearson