Alarmed by a recent rise in crime, Sunbury resident Syl Vana has launched an online petition urging local and state authorities to increase police patrols and resources in the town.
According to Victoria Police’s 2024 crime data, Sunbury recorded 1,909 criminal offences over the past year, including 711 thefts and 155 burglaries. Locals say these figures reflect a troubling trend that has left many feeling unsafe in their homes and on the streets.
The petition, addressed to Sunbury MP Josh Bull, Hume City Council, and Victoria Police, calls for urgent action to bolster community safety.
“Thieves recently spent nearly two hours breaking into several neighbouring shops without any interruption,” the petition states. “This is very concerning. It shows that the current level of policing is simply not sufficient.”
The petition makes three key requests:
- 24/7 staffing at Sunbury police station to ensure immediate local assistance when needed
- Increased nighttime patrols to deter and respond to criminal activity after dark
- A review of police resource allocation to better reflect Sunbury’s population, now approaching 40,000.
While the Victorian government has allocated $4.51bn to Victoria Police for the 2024–25 financial year, residents say Sunbury appears to have been “left off the distribution list” states the petition.
“Our community deserves to feel safe,” the statement reads. “We urge our representatives to take swift and meaningful action.”
