Community
28 February, 2025
Crime spree prompts police forum
MEMBERS of the Lismore Progress Association recently met with a number of community groups to discuss the concerning increase in crime across Lismore, Derrinallum and Skipton.
The meeting was held in response to the recent spate of break-ins and thefts throughout the northern district, with attendees discussing ways for the community and the police to support each other as well as ways for residents to combat the crime.
Attendees at the meeting included the Derrinallum Progress Association, Lismore Recreation Reserve Committee of Management, Lismore Cemetery Trust, Warrnambool Police Senior Sergeant Stuart Revell and Corangamite Shire Council mayor councillor Kate Makin.
Lismore Progress Association president Val Lang said the meeting followed previous meetings with shire staff and Lismore Police Senior Constable Mitch Prewett, as well as a community letter writing campaign.
“Committee members were very pleased to have senior police sergeants from Warrnambool and Camperdown, as well as Corangamite Shire mayor Kate Makin and councillor Nick Cole all contribute to the meeting,” she said.
“At this moment in time increased community vigilance is helpful - including observing, noting and reporting all incidents and unusual activities to police.
“We learnt that reports can be anonymous on Crime Stoppers, or phoned in to our local police office Snr Const Mitch Prewett, with real time events best directed immediately to 000 (Triple Zero).”
Snr Sgt Revell said police have increased their presence in the area following the rise in crime.
“The situation in Lismore, Derrinallum and Skipton is being taken very seriously by police, and extra attention is being paid to the district, including increased dedication to patrolling this area after hours and other operations which are not always visible,” he said.
Derrinallum Progress Association president Kevin Molesworth noted the importance of a quick police response, as well as increased community use of security cameras, photographs of number plates, and cameras which will report in real time to a phone in combating the break-ins.
The attending groups will continue to work on the issues raised at the meeting with a community forum which will be held next month to discuss the crime wave.
Cr Makin said the discussion was productive and explored possible solutions and limitations for curbing crime in Lismore and Derrinallum.
“At a previous forum in December, Lismore Police Station Officer in Charge Snr Const Mitch Prewitt said police were investigating out of town people allegedly burgling farms and businesses,” she said.
“The cemetery, the flax mill, Hewitt and Whitty and the Shell were all targeted.
“The latest meeting was an update on what was happening on a policing angle and how we progress forward.
“Our primary objective is to ensure that everyone feels secure within their communities.
“To that end, the Corangamite local government area Neighbourhood Policing Forum will be held on Tuesday, March 18 at the Killara Centre in Camperdown, from 6.30pm.”
The forum is a Victoria Police event, facilitated by Corangamite Shire Council.
Cr Makin encouraged community members and businesses to talk with local police about what is important to their community.
“Report any information no matter how small to 1800 333 000 she said.
For urgent police attention call 000 and for non-urgent reporting of crime call the Police Assistance Line on 13 14 44,” she said.
Run by a Victoria Police panel, the forum will explore:
Current crime trends and crime prevention;
Family violence;
Young people;
Drugs and drug related crime; and
Road policing.
To book, go to bit.ly/4hIJdgK.
For more information, contact CAMPERDOWN.UNI@police.vic.gov.au.
Read More: local