General News
30 January, 2022
Police and community join to tackle neighbourhood concerns
Horsham Police Inspector Dianne Thomson is excited to be delivering the Neighbourhood Policing Framework to the Wimmera.
VICTORIA Police Horsham Inspector Dianne Thomson is excited to be delivering the Victorian Governments’ Crime Prevention Strategy and the Neighbourhood Policing Framework to the Wimmera.
Inspector Thomson said the framework would allow a response to community safety concerns and sentiment.
“We will create a community incident register, those items will be actioned and then there will be a feedback loop where we give feedback to the community through our social media Eyewatch and local media about what has happened in that space,” she said.
“Often what I think happens is there is underlying frustration when the community doesn't know the outcomes or the actions taken.
“Sometimes there might be action without an outcome but that’s ok as long as the community knows that police are really invested in listening to what their concerns are.
“The four things are really to listen to the community, to understand, to decide what the appropriate response is to respond and then close that loop so that's what we intend to be doing.”
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Inspector Thomson holds a Master’s Degree and a Post Graduate Diploma in Crime Prevention from Charles Sturt University.
The Crime Prevention Strategy emphasised that the key to tackling the causes of crime lies in local communities and grassroots organisations.
Inspector Thomson said Victoria Police was a key partner within the strategy.
“The strategy aligns with the Neighbourhood Policing Framework as it also relies on a joined-up approach involving government, key organisations and communities to prevent harm by tackling the causes of crime,” she said.
Inspector Thomson said the current Horsham Community and Police Consultative Committee placed the community in a good position to elevate the strategy.
“We are in this fantastic position of elevation because we have already got a committee so the local safety committee is already established,” she said.
“Committee chair Mark Radford and I have discussed our aim is to diversify and grow the group and we have reached out to get representation from smaller community groups that often don’t have a voice and we’re really hoping to see that grow.
“It's really important that we have these meetings that we listen to what the community’s concerns are and that we create a feedback and action loop.”
Victoria Police have recently recognised the ongoing efforts of outgoing committee chair David Eltringham and presented him with a token of appreciation.
Mr Eltringham said he wished to thank Inspector Thomson for her “unbelievable support” of the committee.
“We are very fortunate and I am very proud of what we have achieved in that committee,” he said.
“We need to recognise how important it is to have this group for the community.”
Incoming chair Mr Radford said the changeover from Mr Eltringhan to him was a chance to hand the baton over.
“David has done a great job and now it’s up for the next person, me, to take up the baton and run with it,” he said.
“We are using this as an opportunity to reset.
“This group is unique and we don’t have an active Neighbourhood Watch or road safety group so that’s why this group is important.”
Inspector Thomson said the group was really well set up and was being implemented on a smaller scale in other Wimmera areas.
“West Wimmera and Hindmarsh communities will meet four times a year as an open community forum,” she said.
“They will be spearheaded by the Sergeants and MERCs (Municipal Emergency Response Coordinators) out there who are already engaged in their municipal emergency management roles.
“Rather than fatigue people with meeting after meeting, we will look to combine efficient uses of time but not exclude anyone from the meetings so that’s why they are going to do it in a broader scope.”
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Inspector Thomson said the local police were interested in all community safety issues.
“Sometimes when we talk about this people think of it from a strategic perspective like what are the big-ticket items that Victoria Police can work with stakeholders and partners to deliver,” she said.
“From a local policing point of view, we are interested in even the simple community issues like an Airbnb party that night be creating noise and disruption for permanent residents.
“We are certainly interested in regular hoon driving or public use or misuse of alcohol, youths causing trouble, we are used to dealing with all of these things in our daily business and we want to ensure that we’ve got the concerns of the community at the front of mind.
“It's not just the high-level strategic operations but the everyday things that the community that live, work and play here have a voice.”
Horsham’s Victoria Police are hitting the banks of the Wimmera River on March 5 at Sawyer Park from 8am for a “Cops and Robbers’ themed park run.
Following the five kilometre run a Police Expo will be hosted at Sawyer Park with the Police Semi-Trailer “Field Command” Unit with officers and equipment from Highway Patrol, Crime Scene, Bike Patrol, Search and Rescue, Critical Incident Response and Water Police from Melbourne.
There will be a barbeque breakfast supplied by Apex, a coffee van, career information and Police Legacy representation.
People that represent community groups are welcome to contact Inspector Thomson at dianne.thomson@police.vic.gov.au.
For emergencies and immediate police response contact Triple Zero (000).