It is the stories we do not enjoy reporting, but the stories which need to be told to spread an important message.
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Burglaries are on the rise in Stawell and modest, hardworking families are starting to pay the price.
Georges and Kids Fish n Chips shop on Seaby Street was the latest victim when brazen thieves broke into the premises on Monday night and stole up to $1000.
With clenched fists, shop owner George Kondis told the Times-News he had invested more than $500,000 into the business and the latest robbery was a cruel blow.
And statistics show these criminal acts are set to continue in our small town.
Latest police figures showed burglaries at Stawell had increased by a staggering 48 per cent.
There were 25 reported burglaries at Stawell in 2014, 39 in 2015 and 58 last year.
The latest figure was the highest number of burglary related offences recorded in the last five years.
Burglaries were also up in surrounding towns Halls Gap, Pomonal, Navarre and St Arnaud.
Halls Gap, Pomonal and St Arnaud recorded a 54 per cent increase and burglaries at Navarre were up by 300 per cent.
Small country towns are best known for their trusting communities, thriving off the generosity and support shown towards one another.
It would be very sad to see Stawell lose this community spirit.
We can help prevent this from happening, we have a responsibility to look after our town and townspeople, we do not have to let the cowardly and senseless acts of the minority negatively affect our way of life.
Stawell police are working tirelessly to address this issue and are always calling on the public to assist them with their investigations.
You are encouraged to come forward if you know any information or witness any suspicious behaviour.
You can call Stawell Police Station on 5358 8222 or contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Let’s do it for George and Antoinette at the Fish n Chip shop, who only want to make us happy with a nice meal.
Let’s do it for our officers in blue who work endlessly to make our town safer.
Let’s do it for our neighbours who just want to live in peace.
If we unite, we can quell these selfish acts and perpetuate the freedom we all deserve.
