However, today Victorian families are quite rightly concerned given that their daily news is full of street rampages, car jackings, home invasions and savage attacks.

Tragically there are a few, if any, Victorian families that have not been touched directly or indirectly  by our current crime wave.

Victorian crime statistics confirm that there is a very real crime problem in our state. The Crime Statistics Agency data shows an 11 per cent increase in the number of offences in Victorian since 2014. The crime data also shows that the Victorian offence rate per 100,000 population was higher in every year from 2014-2018 than in any of the previous four years.

Of particular concern is that since the last state election, violent crimes against the person have increased by a massive 17.5 per cent.

Recently, we have all seen dramatic footage of gangs running amok on our streets and destroying property with our hard working police seemingly powerless to stop this dangerous and illegal behaviour. If these crimes were actually recorded and arrests made, our crime statistics would be even higher.

In this environment of increasing crime it is extraordinary to learn from the Police Association of Victoria that the actual number of genuine frontline, first-responder police officers is lower now than at the time of the last state election.

The association advises that there are currently 190 fewer uniformed officers today than five years ago. No wonder there is a law and order problem across our state.

In addition under the current government a number of frontline police stations have been forced to operate on reduced hours and with fewer officers ready to respond to emergency call outs.

Our community urgently needs more police ‘on the beat’, on patrol in our neighbourhoods and ready to respond when crimes occur and safety is at risk.

Decades of evidence show that a strong visible and active police presence is the best way to actually prevent crime and improve community safety.

The action of the previous Coalition Government to put protective services officers on our railway stations every evening showed how to turn these dangerous places into safe, secure areas for everyone, especially vulnerable people.

As well as having a greater police presence it is essential that our courts and justice system lift their game to improve community safety.

Too often the courts appear more interested in looking after the criminals than taking care of victims and the safety of the wider community.

Too often violent thugs charged with unprovoked vicious attacks on innocent victims are released on bail.

Too often convicted criminals on parole commit further, often violent, offences and yet they are bailed rather than being immediately returned to prison.

We need our courts to better reflect genuine community concern about violent crime and to better understand the priority which must be given to protecting innocent people from violent aggressive behaviour.

It is essential that our elected Government provides strong leadership and direction, together with appropriate tougher laws and resources for our police, courts and prison system to deliver a safer community.

Law and order will quite rightly be a key issue in the upcoming State election.

Since the 2014 election there has been a significant increase in crime and especially violent crime across Victoria.

Voters will be looking for political parties and candidates who put forward clear policies to tackle our crime wave and improve community safety.

Voters will not and should not tolerate candidates or parties that are soft on crime.