The Canberra Liberals will call on the Labor-Greens Government to increase the number of police in the ACT to at least match per-capita levels with NSW by 2024.

In a Motion to be put forward in the Legislative Assembly today, Shadow Minister for Police, Jeremy Hanson, will also call for a permanent police station in the Molonglo Valley by 2022.

Mr Hanson said the latest Report on Government Services (ROGS) from the Productivity Commission shows that the ACT has the lowest number of police per-capita in Australia, and has fewer sworn operational staff now, than it did nearly a decade ago.

“Police are stretched to the limit and as a result are taking longer to respond to reports of criminal activity,” said Mr Hanson.

“The ACT population has been increasing over the past 10 years but unfortunately police numbers have not.

“The Labor-Greens Government cut $15 million from the police budget in 2013 and funding has been in decline over the last decade.

“Policing is a tough job and our officers in the ACT need more support from this government than what they are currently recieving.”

Mr Hanson said there is also a serious need for a permanent police station in the Molonglo Valley, following significant population growth in the area.

“A lack of police presence in Molonglo Valley and surrounding suburbs has resulted in reports of escalated criminal activity,” said Mr Hanson.

“Clearly there is a need for a permanent police station in the region to service not only the Molonglo community but Weston Creek as well.

“It is not good enough for these suburbs to rely on the Woden Police Station which is already understaffed and having to cover Woden Valley, Weston Creek and Molonglo,” Mr Hanson concluded.