Moree Plains has once again made it onto the list of hotspots for domestic violence, recording the second highest rates of domestic violence in the state.
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The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) this week released the data which found Moree remains the second worst local government area for recorded cases of domestic violence.
A total of 219 domestic violence-related incidents occurred in the Moree Plains in the 12 months to December 2017, equating to 1,611 incidents per 100,000 residents.
The latest figures see Moree come in second on the hotspot list, behind Walgett which remains in the top spot with 146 incidents, or 2,292 per 100,000 residents.
Coonamble ranked third on the list with 553 incidents, or 1,298 per 100,000 residents, followed by Broken Hill, Gilgandra, Lachlan, Wentworth, Narromine, Griffith, and Glen Innes.
New England Police District crime manager, Detective Inspector Ann Joy said police are currently working to combat domestic violence throughout the Moree Plains, including Mungindi and Boggabilla.
“The District is expanding its focus on domestic violence, developing its own High Risk Domestic Violence team,” she said.
“We have recently commenced Safety Action Meetings that are designed to support victims and families at serious threat of domestic violence.”
Detective Inspector Joy said police are also using Apprehended Domestic Violence checks to monitor victim safety and continue to work with their partner agencies in the local community to reduce the instance of domestic violence.
In addition, the New England Police District has been running ongoing proactive operations such as Operation Claymore, which has seen more than 200 additional police deployed in the Moree area.
Detective Inspector Joy said a number of resources have been used as part of Operation Claymore including Police Transport Command, Dog Units, Local and Region Target Action Units, Western High Risk Domestic Violence Teams and Western Operational Support Group.
“Those operations have targeted wanted offenders, persons wanted warrants, ADVO compliance checks and crime hotspots around Moree township particularly,” she said.
“Operation Claymore has seen an overall reduction in volume and youth-related crime throughout it's operation.”
Domestic violence assaults were down by 35 incidents, from 254 in 2016.