10/8/05
Community safety will be significantly boosted in the massive Laverton region with the opening of the new $3.5million police station, according to Police Minister Michelle Roberts.
Mrs Roberts said the state-of-the-art facility would provide police with the contemporary resources, equipment and infrastructure to effectively fight crime both in the local community and outlying remote communities.
The Minister said Laverton police had the unique distinction of patrolling the world's largest police beat, covering more than 600,000sq.km, an area twice the size of France.
"This is a massive region that requires special policing needs and this new police station is an important investment in the community's fight against crime," she said.
"Our Government is committed to providing police with modern facilities and the technology to protect our unique lifestyle and to make our regional communities safer and more secure."
Mrs Roberts said the new station was part of the Gallop Government's $75million response to the Gordon Inquiry, which recommended the improvement of Government services in remote locations.
"The new Laverton police station will help foster stronger relationships between local residents and police officers by providing a focus for frontline policing and crime prevention," she said.
Local member John Bowler welcomed the new station as a major asset to community safety. He said the old station had been built in 1974 and did not suit modern policing needs.
"Times have changed and crime has changed. The new station will better equip local police to respond to these challenges," Mr Bowler said.
Mrs Roberts said the State Government had boosted the operating budget for the police service by more than $250million, with a priority to developing smarter and faster policing to better protect local communities.
"This week we also announced the start of our program to deploy an additional 500 police into frontline duties, which will put more police in regional areas like Laverton," she said.
Minister's office: 9213 6600
