Residents want more Police

THREE out of four respondents to a survey conducted in Corrimal's central business district last week believe there is an insufficient police presence in the area.

More than 200 people were involved in the street survey " conducted by the Wollongong and Northern Leader " and the majority were adamant more police were needed to make the Northern Suburbs safer.

Woonona resident David Montgomery said he would advocate an increase in police numbers at the local level.

"Of course more police are needed around here," Mr Montgomery told the Wollongong and Northern Leader.

"Crime is rampant in the Northern Suburbs."

Julie Berriman, also from Woonona, said law enforcement on her home turf could use a boost.

"There are no police stations around here anymore," Ms Berriman said.

"We need help sometimes " but there's noone around."

Superintendent Gary Worboys, Local Area Commander for Wollongong, said that people needed to be realistic.

"Seeing Police around makes people feel good " and ideally it would be fantastic to have a police man or woman on every corner " but there would be a huge cost involved," Supt. Worboys said.

"I know that where I live I would like to see a patrol car every half an hour " but that just isn't realistic."

Supt. Worboys said Police serviced the Northern Suburbs area in two ways " responding in a reactionary way to requests for assistance as well as taking a pro-active approach towards crime prevention.

Wollongong Local Area Command has received an additional 20 probationary graduate constables during the past six months.

The latest localised figures from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research indicate increases across certain crime categories throughout the Wollongong Local Government Area, encompassing the Northern Suburbs.

Since 2002, rates of fraud, sexual offences and malicious damage to property throughout the area have experienced notable increases.