The issue sparked a lengthy debate at council’s meeting this week after a report tendered to council outlined a long list of vandalism-related damage to public assets including roads and signs, rubbish bins, parks, public toilets, playground equipment and payphones.

Blayney Police Station is manned for 16 hours a day, with calls diverted to Bathurst outside of those hours.

However, Chifley Local Area Command Inspector Chris Davey said an officer was always on-call in Blayney and said he was not aware of a spike in reports of vandalism.

“There’s always a police officer there in Blayney. They’re available 24 hours a day. There would always be a response there in an emergency,” he said.

Councillor Geoff Braddon said the issue should be raised with police.

“I think we should write directly to the officer in charge at Bathurst and the police minister and explain this situation we’re going through. It’s alright to sit up the road and breathalyse people, but that’s not catching vandals,” he said.

Blayney Shire Council offers a reward of up to $2000 for information which leads to a conviction for a vandalism offence, a policy which mayor Bruce Kingham believes should be better publicised.

Council also intends to change the way it reports damage caused by vandals so it can better estimate the cost to ratepayers.

Cr Kingham said private property was also being targeted.

“One Saturday night they went from Forest Reefs to Spring Terrace and smashed every mailbox. A lot of private property is being damaged, too,” he said.

Councillor Scott Ferguson said he was aware of funding available for the installation of CCTV cameras.

“I’m not advocating CCTV at this time but maybe it’s something we could think about,” he said.

Cr Ferguson said he would raise the issue with the shire’s Youth Council.

“I’m sure they would have ideas,” he said.

ellen.jones@ruralpress.com