A FURNITURE heist and the theft of a gun stash has topped off a week of rampant crime in Narrandera.
Police have asked residents to lock their doors and windows even while they are home as the Riverina town comes under siege by “a number of gangs”.
The Daily Advertiser last week reported Narrandera’s mayor, Neville Kschenka, requested a meeting with NSW Minister for Police Troy Grant to fight for more police resources.
Victims of the town’s crime wave have rallied behind the push.
Business owner Shannon Rivero claims an angle grinder was used by crooks to break into his safe and steal a collection of expensive firearms.
“I don’t want to hear that my firearms have been used to harm another life,” he said.
“Replacements just won’t suffice.
Griffith Local Area Command Inspector Kim Traynor recently met with representatives from Narrandera Shire Council, including mayor Neville Kschenka and interim general manager Judy Charlton, regarding community concerns about recent crime in the area.
It has prompted calls for a Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) group to be re-established in the town.
“It’s about the community doing it and organising it,” Inspector Traynor said.
“We’ve provided information, but a Neighbourhood Watch group is a community-driven thing.
“Police would normally be a part of Neighbourhood Watch, like we are in Leeton.
Some of the crimes committed across Narrandera in the past 10 days have included:
- An outdoor table was set alight at Narrandera High School on Tuesday.
- A truck was stolen and taken for a joyride before it was dumped in a Narrandera laneway on Tuesday.
- An aged pensioner sat terrified in her lounge room as two intruders broke into her home on Friday.
- Five reported break and enters across the town on Monday night alone.
