DRUGS and property theft continue to be a cause of concern in Kempsey with Mid North Coast Police District officers investing more resources to reduce crime in the north.
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Hastings representatives gathered to discuss ways in reducing crime across the region at a Community Safety Precinct Committee on February 12 at Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's chambers.
NSW Police District Commander Paul Fehon said Port Macquarie was tracking quite well in policing with the rest of the district.
"What's pleasing over Christmas, and was good to see, was that people behaved themselves. That's what we asked for and especially with the hot weather we had," he said.
"It was great to see we did not have large increases in crime, particularly in the Port Macquarie area.
"We are continuing to focus on the Kempsey area, of course property crime is there and we are looking at drugs as a major focus and cause of concern."
On the forum agenda, members also discussed crime prevention and community safety concerns in Port Macquarie, Kempsey and Nambucca.
"The good news is that from November we have seen decreases coming across but it's early days yet. We record our figures over a 12 month period," said District Commander Fehon.
"We're out there trying to arrest those people out there committing the crimes and that in turn brings a reduction in further offences."
Data from the previous meeting on December 4 last year showed an average of 16 non-domestic violence assaults per month from June to November 2018 in Nambucca and surrounds.
An average of 13 domestic violence assaults per month in the same period, while 151 people were charged with 249 domestic violence offences and 313 Apprehended Violence Orders were applied for.
The Nambucca region also registered an average of 14 break and enters in dwellings per month between June and November last year.
Key points raised during the December 4 meeting included a youth problem at the Macksville Touch Football grounds requiring police attendance and issues with offenders using heroin in Kempsey.
The next community safety meetings will take place in Kempsey on June 4, Nambucca on September 3 and back to Port Macquarie on November 19.
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