Diggers Rest should be served by Sunbury police to drastically improve response times, according to Western Metropolitan Region MP Bernie Finn.
But the Police Association has likened the suggestion to “moving the deck chairs on the Titanic”.
Mr Finn raised the issue in State Parliament last week after being asked by Diggers Rest residents to raise with the Police Minister their concerns about police response times.
RELATED: POLICE WON’T COP NEW BEAT FOR SUNBURY
The area is currently serviced by Melton and Caroline Springs police.
“New estates [in Diggers Rest] are blooming and houses are going up on a daily basis,” Mr Finn said.
“New residents expect police to respond quickly to their requests for help. At the moment, Diggers Rest, while only five minutes from Sunbury, must depend on policing services from Caroline Springs, which in the middle of the night is about 15 to 20 minutes away. In peak hour, it can be anything up to two hours.”
Police Association secretary Ron Iddles said that although Diggers Rest was geographically closer to Sunbury, distance was only one factor to consider.
“Without providing additional police in the area, moving the Diggers Rest community into the Sunbury police response zone would be like moving the deck chairs on the Titanic. Our members at Melton and Sunbury are stretched to the limit.” The state government was contacted for comment.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE COPS IN CRISIS STORIES
