mmg.com.au

Though a specialised family violence police unit based in Bendigo has not yet extended its work to Echuca, Inspector Martin Dorman hopes it will make a difference in dealing with family violence in the area.

Inspector Dorman said district police dealt with family violence incidents, which could lead to an Echuca divisional van being off the road for up to four or five hours.

He said when the unit began working in Echuca, it would deal with repeat family violence issues — though he said Echuca did not have many repeat family violence issues.

‘‘Their role will be to go around and visit families that are suffering from ongoing instances of family violence and, where appropriate, put various interventions in place,’’ he said.

Inspector Dorman said reported family violence was an important issue in the area, though it had to be balanced with other focus areas like theft from motor cars, which was the area’s number one offence.

‘‘The crime that’s having the greatest impact on Echuca and Campaspe is theft from motor cars and burglaries,’’ he said.

‘‘We don’t have a high instance of repeat (family violence) offenders. Normally the initial intervention is enough.’’

Inspector Dorman said he would like to think the unit would add value to police services once it was fully staffed and operational.