Kilsyth Electorate News

THE Yarra Ranges may lose police in a State Government bid to tackle Melbourne's worsening alcohol- and drug-fuelled violence. Under a State Government initiative, officers from outer suburbs will be redeployed to the CBD.

Kilsyth state Liberal MP David Hodgett said stealing police from other areas was not the solution. ``It is of great concern that the Government feels they can abandon the Yarra Ranges area in an attempt to cover its own failings to curb violence in the CBD,'' Mr Hodgett said.

"Victorian suburbs and regional areas are not immune from violence and crime.'' State Government spokesman Michael Sinclair said using police from suburban areas was a common policing method of dealing with major events.

"Additional resources are only brought in from areas where there is no operational impact,'' Mr Sinclair said. ``The Government is advised that Victoria Police continue to consider a range of measures in relation to tackling alcohol and anti-social-related crime in Melbourne's CBD,'' he said.

Region 4 police media spokeswoman Acting Sgt Amanda Hardy said no police officers had been moved to the CBD from the Yarra Ranges.