A DEDICATED team targeting domestic violence offenders will be established in western NSW, the State Government announced on Thursday.
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The Western Region Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team will be made up of one sergeant and five constables based at Dubbo and Tamworth and servicing the western part of the state, including Orange.
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Regional Field Operations Gary Worboys and Police Minister Troy Grant made the announcement in Tamworth, saying the unit would target serious, high-risk and recidivist offenders across western NSW.
In the 12 months from July 2016 to June 2017 there were 259 domestic violence-related assault incidents in Orange, ranking the city 23rd in the state for the worst rates of the offence.
Other centres in the western part of the state, including Moree, Walgett and Gilgandra, were ranked in the top 10 NSW locations for domestic violence crime in the same period.
Deputy Commissioner Worboys said it is important to have specialist police in the bush targeting the worst offenders and supporting the most vulnerable victims.
“NSW Police have been proactive in targeting offenders of domestic and family violence and that approach is seeing a reduction in offence rates,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.
“We have seen proactive programs have a significant impact on repeat offenders.”
Minister for Police Troy Grant said team’s primary purpose is to break the cycle of domestic violence across the state.
“Today’s announcement is a major step forward for those affected by the scourge of domestic violence in the Western Region,” Mr Grant said.
“Domestic violence offenders are well and truly on notice that their behaviour will not be tolerated.”
The Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team will be operational by the end of the year.