1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:04,800 Speaker 1: Northern Territory police calling for information following an aggravated burglary 2 00:00:04,840 --> 00:00:08,039 Speaker 1: that occurred in Tenant Creek on Tuesday night. Just after 3 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:12,479 Speaker 1: eleven pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communications Center received reports 4 00:00:12,480 --> 00:00:16,360 Speaker 1: that a group of offenders unlawfully entered a residence. Now, 5 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:20,599 Speaker 1: they then assaulted the two occupants police attended. They located 6 00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:23,360 Speaker 1: those two thirty one year old female victims, both with 7 00:00:23,480 --> 00:00:26,880 Speaker 1: injuries to their heads and their backs. Now, it's alleged 8 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: that a group of up to twenty people forced their 9 00:00:30,080 --> 00:00:34,560 Speaker 1: way into that house and physically assaulted both victims before 10 00:00:34,600 --> 00:00:40,680 Speaker 1: stealing their mobile phones and two puppies and fleeing the scene. Now, unfortunately, 11 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:44,480 Speaker 1: this incident adds to a growing list of concerns coming 12 00:00:44,520 --> 00:00:47,639 Speaker 1: from the people of Tenant Creek. Now joining us on 13 00:00:47,680 --> 00:00:51,120 Speaker 1: the line is the mayor, Sid Vashis. Good morning to. 14 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:54,240 Speaker 2: You, Sid, Good morning Katy, and to your listeners. 15 00:00:54,360 --> 00:00:56,880 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for your time this morning. Now, Sid, 16 00:00:57,000 --> 00:01:00,120 Speaker 1: I mean the situation earlier this week sounds frightening, but 17 00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:03,240 Speaker 1: it's not isolated. Can you tell me more about what 18 00:01:03,320 --> 00:01:05,600 Speaker 1: the people of Tenants are experiencing at the. 19 00:01:05,560 --> 00:01:09,640 Speaker 2: Moment, kat First, lead's deeply concerning them. My thoughts go 20 00:01:09,680 --> 00:01:13,639 Speaker 2: after the victims of crime. It's never it's very scary 21 00:01:13,640 --> 00:01:17,120 Speaker 2: when someone breaks into your own house and just assault you, 22 00:01:17,120 --> 00:01:21,200 Speaker 2: you know. So my thoughts are and prayers are with 23 00:01:21,200 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 2: the people who are in the hospital and getting recovery. 24 00:01:24,280 --> 00:01:28,160 Speaker 2: It's stressful times. Spikes do come and go, but at 25 00:01:28,160 --> 00:01:32,080 Speaker 2: this time it's as the police has advice. You know, 26 00:01:32,120 --> 00:01:35,520 Speaker 2: there's community tensions and they're investigating, and they have this 27 00:01:35,640 --> 00:01:38,280 Speaker 2: active promise number. So I'll encourage the listeners to actually 28 00:01:38,880 --> 00:01:42,520 Speaker 2: support the police. If you have an information around the crimes, 29 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:45,360 Speaker 2: do reach out given the factual information so they can 30 00:01:45,440 --> 00:01:52,200 Speaker 2: action on it. Yeah, and yeah, it's I'm lost for words. Yeah, 31 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:56,920 Speaker 2: because it's stressful time for us. Yes, it's something like. 32 00:01:57,040 --> 00:01:59,440 Speaker 1: In terms of so with this incident with these two 33 00:01:59,440 --> 00:02:02,480 Speaker 1: thirty one year old female victims, I mean having people 34 00:02:02,640 --> 00:02:05,440 Speaker 1: invade a home, a group of up to twenty people 35 00:02:05,520 --> 00:02:09,960 Speaker 1: forcing their way into your home and physically assaulting both 36 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:13,639 Speaker 1: those victims. Then there was another incident yesterday. There was 37 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:16,560 Speaker 1: a group of up to eight females who allegedly approached 38 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:19,000 Speaker 1: a forty four year old woman who was sitting in 39 00:02:19,040 --> 00:02:22,360 Speaker 1: a parked car at a petrol station, stood in front 40 00:02:22,360 --> 00:02:24,760 Speaker 1: of that car so she couldn't drive away. They then 41 00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:27,799 Speaker 1: allegedly opened the door and tried to take the keys 42 00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:31,200 Speaker 1: from the ignition one of those females stealing the woman's 43 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:34,919 Speaker 1: bag from the back seat. I mean, how bloody frightening 44 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:35,960 Speaker 1: for that woman. 45 00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:40,679 Speaker 2: And it's important to say doing daytime, codie, So it's 46 00:02:40,720 --> 00:02:42,840 Speaker 2: happening in front of people size, in front of public. 47 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:45,639 Speaker 2: You know, this is where the presence of police is 48 00:02:46,240 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 2: very crucial and important given in Tonacreek during busy times, 49 00:02:50,480 --> 00:02:53,400 Speaker 2: you know, like we can have a transient population of 50 00:02:53,480 --> 00:02:57,519 Speaker 2: additional five hundred thousand people here and with the resources 51 00:02:57,600 --> 00:03:00,000 Speaker 2: the police have on hand, this is where we need 52 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:04,600 Speaker 2: to facilitate extra support from from Darwin or perhaps the command. 53 00:03:04,680 --> 00:03:07,360 Speaker 2: You know, like the police here, given the resources they 54 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:10,640 Speaker 2: have on how they do an excellent job. But the 55 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:14,840 Speaker 2: visual and the police on dirt bibes, the police on 56 00:03:14,880 --> 00:03:17,440 Speaker 2: horses that has worked for us in the past during 57 00:03:17,480 --> 00:03:20,560 Speaker 2: these spikes, when there's stressful times. This is where as 58 00:03:20,560 --> 00:03:22,640 Speaker 2: a whole of community approach, we've got to come together 59 00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:26,600 Speaker 2: and this is something we actively need the government's assistance 60 00:03:26,639 --> 00:03:29,239 Speaker 2: with too. You know, we know we have Footy Grand 61 00:03:29,280 --> 00:03:32,600 Speaker 2: Finals fast approaching as well, since since we had the 62 00:03:32,639 --> 00:03:35,280 Speaker 2: town Creek Sure, this town has had an influx of 63 00:03:35,280 --> 00:03:39,760 Speaker 2: people in the region luck in our town, which creates overcrowded, 64 00:03:39,880 --> 00:03:42,600 Speaker 2: which has stress stress on this town. And we need 65 00:03:42,640 --> 00:03:46,320 Speaker 2: to facilitate and support our police and get behind them 66 00:03:46,320 --> 00:03:48,720 Speaker 2: here because they're trying to do the best they can 67 00:03:48,800 --> 00:03:51,960 Speaker 2: with what they have got and what number of policing 68 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:52,960 Speaker 2: they've got on the ground. 69 00:03:53,560 --> 00:03:55,800 Speaker 1: So see, is that sort of what's happened. You've had 70 00:03:55,800 --> 00:03:58,400 Speaker 1: an influx of people following on from the show. They've 71 00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:02,120 Speaker 1: not been gone high, So you've got all these additional 72 00:04:02,200 --> 00:04:05,680 Speaker 1: people in town and unfortunately not necessarily doing the right 73 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:06,560 Speaker 1: thing while they're there. 74 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:11,840 Speaker 2: Well, if there's visitors here and they're not doing the 75 00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:14,120 Speaker 2: right thing, this is something once again, this is the 76 00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:16,320 Speaker 2: whole of community approach that needs to happen. Katie and 77 00:04:17,080 --> 00:04:19,200 Speaker 2: I've gone onto the radio on ABCLI strings the other 78 00:04:19,240 --> 00:04:21,640 Speaker 2: day and we were talking about this and whole of 79 00:04:21,680 --> 00:04:25,200 Speaker 2: community approach is easier said than done until it's actually 80 00:04:25,279 --> 00:04:29,359 Speaker 2: actioned and implemented. Barkley Regional Council has been actively part 81 00:04:29,800 --> 00:04:33,240 Speaker 2: of something called Regional Coordination Community that has been historically 82 00:04:33,320 --> 00:04:36,640 Speaker 2: led by the Chief Ministers and cabinet where all service 83 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:40,560 Speaker 2: providers sit down, have a conversation, listen from the governments, 84 00:04:40,839 --> 00:04:43,360 Speaker 2: work together. But in the last four or five months 85 00:04:43,720 --> 00:04:47,440 Speaker 2: that coordination has dropped out. Australian Government Council has been 86 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:52,080 Speaker 2: boarded off it those coordinations. We are left in the dark. 87 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:55,520 Speaker 2: We actually don't know how to best address this and 88 00:04:55,960 --> 00:05:00,680 Speaker 2: this can only handle the visional executive directors. The Chief 89 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:03,320 Speaker 2: Minster and Cabinet has always led this and they do 90 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:05,880 Speaker 2: it well. And I've said that the other day. If 91 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:08,719 Speaker 2: it ain't broke, don't fix it. This is something that's 92 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:12,560 Speaker 2: worked for us here locally, and that's something if you 93 00:05:12,640 --> 00:05:15,360 Speaker 2: put the emphasis and the focus back on. We need 94 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:17,760 Speaker 2: to get back together and start talking about our community 95 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:20,400 Speaker 2: safety action plans for tant Creek, which I'm not even 96 00:05:20,400 --> 00:05:23,800 Speaker 2: sure whether that has been enacted or not, whether it's 97 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:26,000 Speaker 2: even in action or not. These are the gaps we 98 00:05:26,080 --> 00:05:28,840 Speaker 2: need to work together, and it's we want to work 99 00:05:28,880 --> 00:05:32,839 Speaker 2: with the government, the Chief Minister, and that's the message. 100 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:36,560 Speaker 2: Let's work together. Let's sit down and have these conversations 101 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:39,360 Speaker 2: again and have a plan that's actually supporting our community. 102 00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:42,159 Speaker 1: I mean, it's like it sounds like you guys need 103 00:05:42,200 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 1: some help at the moment. You need that support from 104 00:05:45,200 --> 00:05:49,240 Speaker 1: the Northern Territory government. They need to step up absolutely. 105 00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:53,800 Speaker 2: Getty and visual policing has always worked for us. We 106 00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 2: love to see some police and horses, dirt bikes patrolling 107 00:05:58,440 --> 00:06:02,239 Speaker 2: the areas at night and just supporting our town. It's needed, 108 00:06:02,640 --> 00:06:05,080 Speaker 2: It's very much needed and they need to act as 109 00:06:05,120 --> 00:06:05,839 Speaker 2: soon as possible. 110 00:06:05,960 --> 00:06:09,400 Speaker 1: Sid can I ask I know there was another incident. 111 00:06:09,880 --> 00:06:12,440 Speaker 1: There was reports of a group of youths allegedly breaking 112 00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:16,280 Speaker 1: into an eighty one year old woman's home and later 113 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:19,920 Speaker 1: filming themselves driving around in her car which they'd stolen. 114 00:06:21,800 --> 00:06:24,160 Speaker 1: What do you know of this situation? And I mean 115 00:06:24,400 --> 00:06:28,760 Speaker 1: from your perspective, are elderly and vulnerable people being targeted? 116 00:06:30,520 --> 00:06:32,599 Speaker 2: Look, the police have actually come out and they've actually 117 00:06:32,640 --> 00:06:35,719 Speaker 2: discussed this as well, where disabled and elderly people have 118 00:06:35,760 --> 00:06:39,760 Speaker 2: been targeted, which is our vulnerable people at risk. The 119 00:06:39,760 --> 00:06:43,080 Speaker 2: community is at risk. The business people, Katie have been 120 00:06:43,120 --> 00:06:46,880 Speaker 2: ringing me and requesting to actually coordinate a business round 121 00:06:46,880 --> 00:06:49,919 Speaker 2: table and have this meeting. Facilitate the meeting where we 122 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 2: in whte, the Chief Minister, our local member, the police 123 00:06:53,080 --> 00:06:55,480 Speaker 2: and have these conversations from the council's point of view. 124 00:06:56,040 --> 00:06:58,360 Speaker 2: And this is once again, if we had an active 125 00:06:58,880 --> 00:07:02,359 Speaker 2: Hall of community approach where the convisional coordinations still involve 126 00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:05,000 Speaker 2: the Australian and the council, Australian Government and the Council, 127 00:07:05,240 --> 00:07:07,200 Speaker 2: we will work together. We don't need to reinvent the 128 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:10,800 Speaker 2: wheel here. There were things that were working and if 129 00:07:10,840 --> 00:07:14,160 Speaker 2: we get back together we can actually work have an 130 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:17,320 Speaker 2: inclusive approach in supporting the needs of our people and 131 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:19,080 Speaker 2: community safety is everyone's concern. 132 00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:22,720 Speaker 1: So whats so from your perspective, I mean, if you 133 00:07:22,760 --> 00:07:26,240 Speaker 1: could see some action immediately, what would you want to say, Sid? 134 00:07:26,320 --> 00:07:29,160 Speaker 1: As the mayor of the Barclay we. 135 00:07:29,200 --> 00:07:32,239 Speaker 2: Will request additional support for this town at the moment 136 00:07:32,240 --> 00:07:35,480 Speaker 2: and get behind the police here and the local units 137 00:07:35,840 --> 00:07:40,080 Speaker 2: and have more visual policing in the region right now. 138 00:07:41,640 --> 00:07:44,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, and look it sounds like you need it, particularly, 139 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:47,240 Speaker 1: you know, if you've got a situation where the elderly 140 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:50,600 Speaker 1: vulnerable are being targeted. I mean, when you've got groups 141 00:07:50,600 --> 00:07:53,600 Speaker 1: of people getting into homes that's really frightening. Staff. 142 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:56,680 Speaker 2: Absolutely, Yeah, all. 143 00:07:56,640 --> 00:08:00,240 Speaker 1: Right, well, Sid, we will talk more about this and 144 00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:03,520 Speaker 1: and please keep us in the loop as things are happening. 145 00:08:03,640 --> 00:08:08,280 Speaker 1: And yeah, hopefully you know you can see some action quickly, 146 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:09,520 Speaker 1: sooner rather than later. 147 00:08:10,840 --> 00:08:12,200 Speaker 2: Absolutely Teddy appreciate it. 148 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:14,960 Speaker 1: Thank you, Thanks Sid, I appreciate your time this morning. 149 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:16,400 Speaker 1: Thanks for having a chat with us.