Deb Frecklington
October 22, 2018
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington has called for more police in the Murgon area after a violent home invasion early on Sunday morning during which a policeman was bashed with a rock.
A teenager or teenagers allegedly broke into the home of Police Prosecutor Sergeant Barry Stevens about 5:10am and hit him on the head as he slept.
Sgt Stevens suffered a laceration and was transported to the Toowoomba Hospital for treatment.
He was lucky to escape serious injuries.
A 15-year-old Cherbourg boy has been charged in relation to this incident and attempted break-ins in Cobb Street and Coronation Drive, Murgon.
He was due to appear in Kingaroy Magistrates Court on Monday.
The teenager has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm while armed, two counts of attempted break-in and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
Police will allege that during one of these incidents a set of keys was taken and a local solicitor’s car was stolen.
Detective Inspector Paul Hart, from Murgon CIB, said police investigations into all these incidents were ongoing.
Anyone with information should call Murgon Police on (07) 4179-5222 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800-333-000.
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Mrs Frecklington said the home invasions were terrifying.
“I have been calling on Labor’s Police Minister Mark Ryan to put boots on the ground and bring the crime wave in the South Burnett under control since February,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Labor is soft on crime and its putting community safety in Murgon at risk.
“Repeat young offenders need to be held accountable for their crimes and Labor needs to bring back breach of bail as an offence.
“Enough is enough. Home invasions, vandalism and car thefts can’t be allowed to become the norm in Murgon.
“In July, Minister Ryan allocated a temporary senior copper but it’s a band-aid solution and falls well short of what is required.
“We need an urgent increase in police numbers – not just back-filling vacant positions.
“The community deserves a long-term strategy to ensure police resources are appropriate and are backed up by tough laws.”
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