Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has commended the work of local police and the community in highlighting the need to keep the community safe and for more officers to be allocated to the Oxley Police District as part of the final allocation of 550 positions throughout the state.

Yesterday’s announcement of six new officers for the district comes after a lengthy community safety campaign which drove down crime and boosted the local workforce.

Mr Anderson said that concerns had been raised regarding crime in the region and following meetings with the community and local police, strategies had been put in place to keep the community safe and to drive down crime.

“After meeting with local police and the community, it was clear that the Oxley Police District needed to be at the front of the queue when it came to the allocation of additional officers across NSW so that our community could feel safe,” Mr Anderson said.

“This year, police implemented the hugely successful Strikeforce Mongoose, and our officers deserve credit for the work they did to drive down crime rates across the district.

“In this time, we also welcomed 10 new probationary constables to the district – five in May and five in June.

“We also welcomed a major boost to the Gunnedah force in April with a crime investigator, two rural crime officers and a part-time administration officer headed to the region. Following meetings with Oxley Police District Superintendent Kylie Endemi today, I can confirm that recruitment is already well underway, and the Gunnedah community can expect these positions to be filled soon.

“Yesterday’s announcement of six new permanent officers for the district caps off a highly successful campaign that has achieved fantastic results for our local police and for safety in communities across our region.

“Over the past for years, the Oxley Police District has now welcomed 18 new officers which is a fantastic result and a credit to the community and to local police who have been keeping us safe throughout the pandemic and recent surges in crime.”