Peninsula is one of the safest areas, says Wales

The Peninsula has been declared one of the safest areas on the Central Coast and does not need a scare campaign, according to Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Mr Matthew Wales.

Mr Wales said that updated statistics from the NSW Police contradicted statements made recently in parliament by Member for Gosford, Ms Kathy Smith.

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

"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.

"There is no doubt that the Peninsula has seen a dramatic reversal in crime rates in recent years and this can be directly attributed to improved policing, CCTV cameras in town centres, improved response times and more community engagement by the Local Command.

"It is therefore very disappointing when the state Member for Gosford would have us believe that crime is out of control and the local police are not doing their job.

"The state Member's comments regarding out-of-control groups particularly around Woy Woy commuter carpark are in stark contradiction to the fact that the NSW Police have all of those offenders currently in custody.

"The reality is that the Gosford Police are right on top of this small group of offenders and have been doing their job effectively and efficiently.

"In years past, the chamber would meet regularly with the police with a whole range of major crime issues.

"Now our meetings are to recount good stories of falling crime and quick action when problems pop up.

"There is no doubt that the installation of CCTV cameras throughout our town centres has been a major game changer for business and the NSW Police.

"They have been hugely successful and made the job of policing so much easier for area commander Danny Sullivan and his highly professional team.

"What the community doesn't need is a scare campaign suggesting that Woy Woy is an unsafe place to be or that out-of-control gangs are roaming our streets and carparks.

"This is clearly not the case.

"The statistics prove it and I can only suggest that the state member for Gosford sit down with the Gosford Area Command and avail herself of the real facts."

Email, 1 Mar 2016

Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce