BY JARROD MELMETH

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery will today move a Notice of Motion in the State Parliament calling on the Police Minister to properly resource local Police Districts, following a reported increase in crime.

The notice of motion comes off the back of the latest Productivity Commission Report which shows police spending per person across NSW has been slashed by over $50 million since 2012/13.

In January, Ms Hornery held a meeting with local businesses after business owners reported an increase in criminal activity in the area and a number of shops were targeted by criminals.

Ms Hornery said the local Police Force is continually being asked to do more with less, as local Police Districts experience chronic staff shortages.

“The Wallsend electorate sits on the fringe of three different local Police Districts and has been neglected when it comes to having resources allocated.

“The Minister must explain why the NSW Government is failing to deliver on the promised increase in officer numbers and why it is failing to invest in the future of our Police Force,” Ms Hornery said.

Police Minister Troy Grant told Macquarie Radio the decrease in funding is due to a decrease in crime.

However, Shadow Police Minister Guy Zangari said the government needs to fund for the future.

“If the government falls asleep at the wheel, there will be an increase in crime. It is as simple as that.

“What we are asking is a commitment for more funding, and more frontline police officers so that NSW does not see a spike in crime in the near future. This is about future-proofing our community,” Mr Zangari said.