Echuca-Moama Safety Committee member Leo Welch has praised police on their action against youth gangs that are responsible for unprovoked attacks on late-night revellers in Echuca’s High and Hare Sts entertainment precinct.
The charging of two teenagers by police, in relation to late-night offences committed against pedestrians moving between venues in the dark areas of Heygarth St and at the Port of Echuca, is a reason for celebration by the group.
Mr Welch, who sits on the safety committee with venue operators from the southern end of High St and northern end of Hare St, said he applauded the work of the police in getting this result.
Police expect to take action against other participants in the anti-social behaviour after using a variety of resources, and tactics, to identify those responsible for the attacks.
Among those tactics was reaching out to the public through the Campaspe police eyewatch facebook page to gain information and further insight into the activities of the gangs.
Mr Welch said he felt for the operators of the venues which had been “dragged into” the debate about late-night attacks.
“These businesses are victims of operating successful businesses that attract people,” he said.
“When you attract that many people there will a certain element that you may not necessarily want.
“They are victims of their own success.”
Mr Welch said these venue operators were proactive in trying to ensure the town was as safe and as welcoming as it could be.
He said the efforts of the venue operators, the safety committee, the public and the police had combined for this outcome.
“The police have obviously received some additional information, which has helped them to make the arrests,” he said.
Echuca-Moama Safety Committee has not met for three weeks, but Mr Welch said the next meeting would definitely address the issue.
He said the arrests highlighted that police needed the community to work alongside them.
“The police will always take the lead, but if the community can provide them with accurate information it can have a significant impact,” he said.
Mr Welch said he would like to think with the initiation of the safety committee would help to make all members of the public feel part of the team.
“When the town does have issues people can report back to the police,” he said.
“It is a win win for everyone.”
The safety committee is working with business groups to secure funding support for more than 100 CCTV cameras, at 36 different locations, to further assist police with their management of late-night behavioural issues.