Call for more police

THE death of a Hampton Park man who was assaulted in Cranbourne North last month has renewed calls for more police in the City of Casey.
Police have launched a murder investigation after a 24-year-old died in The Alfred hospital on Friday.
The man had suffered severe head injuries after he was allegedly attacked by a number of youths armed with weapons on the South Gippsland Highway about 9.45m on 12 September.
State Opposition leader Ted Baillieu said there needs to be an increase in the number of police on the streets.
“We don’t have enough police on the streets, we don’t have the approach to enforcement that we need and we don’t have the sentences that the community respects,” he said.
“The normalisation of violence in our streets is unacceptable and, unfortunately, this culture has grown.
“It has to be stopped and it won’t be stopped until we have a change of approach from this government.”
Cranbourne North resident and former Casey councillor Steve Beardon said he had lobbied for more police in 2005 but his pleas fell on deaf ears.
“In 2005, in a bid to spur on action, I demanded state parliament allocate more police to safeguard locals and save our streets from being overrun by the thugs, gangs and lawlessness – 1500 signatures were collected from Cranbourne residents,” he said.
“The wishes of local residents for more police, a youth curfew and safety has been ignored!”
Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the incident and are appealing for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or alternatively check out the website www.crimestoppers.vic.gov.au.