Despite growing concerns from Charlestown residents and business owners, officials aren’t budging to reopen the local police station.
Worries escalated in the community following two incidents in August, which saw an elderly man fatally attacked on his way to an appointment, and another stabbed by two teens outside the popular shopping centre.
Both occurred within 24 hours of each other, indicating a stark rise in criminal activity.
Sadly, the Charlestown Police Station has remained inactive for more than five years, with the closest now being the Lake Macquarie premises located in Belmont.
As indicated in the recent Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) report, Newcastle’s witnessed a rapid increase in instances of sexual assault and domestic violence over the past decade, with no signs of slowing down.
Similarly, Lake Macquarie is also exhibiting a rise as well.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley reaffirmed an increased police presence would not come in the form of a station re-opening.
“In 2015, Lake Macquarie moved to a new Area Command in Belmont and a complimentary command in Toronto, strategically placing policing operations in the east and west of Lake Macquarie,” she said.
“Charlestown now serves as a key hub for specialist and support units.
“Every police car is a mobile police station, equipped with the latest technology and direct access to real-time information, allowing officers to be visible, agile and responsive.
“It’s about maximising their presence on the streets, not behind a desk.”
But, Charlestown isn’t the only area with residents sleeping with one eye open.
In May, City of Newcastle (CN) was forced to increase security measures at Wallsend Library after a string of violent attacks and anti-social behaviour.
The suburb’s local police station closed its doors in 2006, with Waratah and Maitland being the closest still in operation.
Ms Catley blames the lack of resourcing on the previous government.
“I’ve made no secret of the fact that when I came into government, we inherited a police force that was stretched thin,” she said.
“That’s why my focus from day one has been on getting more boots on the ground and while we’re not there yet, the tide is changing.
“Since coming into government, we’ve delivered a historic wage increase for police, we’re paying recruits to study and we’re sending them back to their hometowns to serve – and it’s driven a 70% surge in applications to join the NSW Police Force.”
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