Council
2 April, 2026
Safety improvement needed, MP says
MEMBER for South West Coast Roma Britnell has hit out at the Victorian Government for failing to address concerns surrounding violent crime.
Ms Britnell said the district was confronting a level of violent crime which was rarely experienced in rural communities, citing recent incidents she said signalled “a deeply troubling shift in community safety”.
She said recent incidents, including youths carrying a machete in a supermarket and aggravated burglaries targeting family homes, would have once have been unthinkable in regional Victoria.
“Recently, three youths aged between 13 and 16 were arrested after allegedly brandishing a knife and machete inside a local supermarket,” Ms Britnell said.
“Shockingly, despite the seriousness of the incident, those involved were granted bail.
“We have long dealt with retail theft and assaults, but people breaking into homes, even into bedrooms while families are inside, is frightening and completely unacceptable.”
Ms Britnell said she believed the trend reflects a systemic failure in law and order policy, compounded by police shortages and laws which no longer support frontline officers.
More than 1500 police vacancies across Victoria are placing unsustainable pressure on remaining officers, undermining proactive policing and eroding community confidence.
Ms Britnell said weaker bail laws and a lack of consequences for repeat offenders were further contributing to escalating youth crime.
“At the heart of this crisis are police shortages and laws that no longer support frontline officers. Police feel abandoned by the Allan Labor Government so it’s no wonder there are vacancies,” she said.
“Our police are at their wits’ end.
“They want to keep communities safe but weak bail laws mean repeat offenders are released again and again, sending entirely the wrong message to offenders and to victims.”
Ms Britnell said the Liberal Nationals, in response, have announced a tougher, prevention-focused crime plan built on stronger policing powers, clear consequences and early intervention.
Key measures include removing youth exemptions so anyone who breaches bail faces immediate custodial consequences.
There would also be an emphasis on strengthening police powers, including authority to search for knives and dangerous weapons.
A $100 million Safer Communities Plan has also been announced, which would invest in prevention and rehabilitation programs such as Restart and Youth Start, helping young people redirect their lives before crime becomes entrenched.
In addition, the Coalition will seek to add more frontline police to address critical workforce shortages and make safety reforms focused on prevention, accountability and rehabilitation.
“The Labor Government’s soft approach has removed the tools police need and failed to recognise the seriousness of escalating youth crime,” Ms Britnell said.
“Strong consequences, stronger police powers, more frontline officers and early intervention are essential if we are to stop crime before it becomes embedded in country Victoria.
“Our rural communities are proud of their culture, safe, connected and respectful.
“We cannot allow violent crime to weave its way into regional towns and destroy the way of life families know and value.”
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