Crime an ‘important issue’, says candidate

A BUDDING MP has again voiced his concern over the increase in aggravated burglaries in the City of Casey.
Liberal candidate for Holt Emanuele Cicchiello said the recent release of Victoria Police’s crime statistics had shown several worrying trends.
“These latest figures are totally unacceptable and something desperately needs to be done to address this very real problem,” Mr Cicchiello said.
“Residents in Holt have told me that local crime and combating local crime is one of the most important issues facing our community, and they want more to be done to ensure this problem is fixed.”
Mr Cicchiello said he was particularly concerned with a rise in the number of incidents involving knives.
“Local residents are entitled to feel safe in their homes and when out in their community, and should not have to live with the fear of being intimidated or becoming the victim of a cowardly knife attack,” he said.
“While the State Labor Government has been working towards the introduction of new laws against the possession of illegal weapons, it should also consider setting tougher minimum sentences for those caught carrying knives in public.”
Mr Cicchiello’s call comes after a spate of knife attacks in Casey, including an incident in Narre Warren last weekend in which four teenagers received an array of knife injuries after a party was gatecrashed.
“People carrying concealed weapons such as knives do so for one reason, and that’s to intentionally cause injury to others in the community,” he said.
“I believe it’s time to strike back against this disturbing trend and crack down on this despicable anti-social behaviour.”