Confirmation that hundreds of frontline police have been redeployed to the NSW border is the latest example of Daniel Andrews’ COVID scramble threatening the safety of Victorians.
This redeployment follows a 24 hour delay in establishing a police checkpoint at the Hume Freeway between Victoria and NSW, as frontline officers are recalled from leave across the state in response to this latest operation.
This deployment is in addition to the 700 officers working in hotel quarantine and has resulted in a number of regional police stations closing and highway patrol units being taken off the road just days before Christmas.
With the latest independent Crime Statistics Agency data confirming crime increases during the past year, on top of dramatic falls in the timely solving of property and violent crimes, this latest deployment will leave Victorians vulnerable over coming weeks.
Daniel Andrews’ failure to properly plan Victoria’s COVID response has left frontline police scrambling to pick up the pieces and is threatening the safety of local communities.
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Police and Community Safety, David Southwick:
“Daniel Andrews’ failure to plan our COVID response is seeing police stretched across the state and frontline officers pulled from regional communities.
“As we head into the busy holiday period, the last thing Victorians need is fewer police on the road and in holiday destinations.
“With crime up despite Labor’s lockdown, it is Daniel Andrews that has taken his eye off the ball on community safety and is leaving Victorians to fend for themselves this summer.”
