Boosting police resources to keep Ovens Valley safe

Community safety across the Ovens Valley will be strengthened under a Liberal and Nationals Government, with a commitment to recruit an additional 3,000 Victoria Police officers and restore reduced police station hours.

The Nationals Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, said local communities are increasingly concerned as police numbers decline while crime continues to rise under the Allan Labor Government.

“Across regional Victoria, including towns throughout the Ovens Valley, we are seeing fewer police on the ground and reduced station hours, at a time when our population is growing,” Mr McCurdy said.

“Local police do an outstanding job, but they are stretched too thin. Our communities deserve to feel safe and to have a visible police presence when they need it.”

As part of the Liberal and Nationals’ Safer Communities Plan, more than 40 police stations operating under reduced hours will be restored, alongside a major recruitment drive to boost frontline policing.

The plan includes attracting experienced officers from overseas, including the United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand, supported by targeted recruitment and streamlined processes to get officers on the beat sooner.

Mr McCurdy said the additional resources would make a real difference locally.

“This is about ensuring our police have the support they need to respond quickly, deter crime, and keep Ovens Valley families safe,” he said.

“Only the Liberals and Nationals have a clear plan to restore community safety and address Labor’s growing crime problem.”