Sections of Ashmont, Tolland and Central Wagga including Wagga Base Hospital have been identified as the city’s non-domestic assault hot spots, NSW Crime figures reveal.
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The results comes from a NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research-generated heat map of Wagga’s most dangerous areas for non-domestic related incidents of violence.
Baylis Street retains the city’s highest density of non-domestic assault cases while areas including Dennis Crescent and Toy Place in Tolland been listed as areas of concern.
Ziegler Avenue and Menzies Avenue in Kooringal were also listed on the NSW Crime map alongside Marshall Street and Blakemore Avenue in Ashmont.
Wagga police crime manager Detective Inspector Darren Cloake recognised the areas but said it was hard to accurately quantify crime hot spots through statistics.
“It’s a difficult issue and I don’t think you can read too much into the figures,” he said.
“We’re doing our best to tackle areas around Wagga and sometimes those statistics can be disproportionate.”
Detective Inspector Cloake pointed to disproportionate assault ‘hot spots’ in the Mount Austin region and around Wagga Base Hospital as evidence statistics could be misread.
“I live nearby the hospital and rarely see anything of that nature,” he said.
“As for areas like Mount Austin, I think it’s really difficult because there’s good people up there doing their best.
“Those school incidents were dealt with very quickly and those responsible were held accountable.”
Murrumbidgee Local Health District recognised the concentration of non-domestic violence incidences around Wagga Base Hospital and said “comprehensive practices” were in place.
“Wagga Base Hospital has invested $3.7 million in hospital security since 2015, and has two security officers on duty 24 hours every day and an additional security officer from 12pm until midnight each day,” hospital director Helen Cooper sid.
“ED staff carry personal safety alarm systems which link to an immediate response, and over $5 million has been invested statewide to upgrade ED duress systems.”
“Staff are also trained in de-escalation techniques and evasive self defence.”
NSW Health has a no-tolerance policy on violence towards staff or patients in hospitals.
