Local Gail Noakes created the new group called ‘Citizens unite against violence in Young’ on Tuesday night and within two days 129 people have joined.

With the words ‘encourage witness statements’ and ‘people power (parent power) can help by standing together’ as the introductory sentences on the page, the group is all about coming together to protect families and our local police, paramedics and taxi drivers.

“Whether we have been directly or indirectly affected by the violence in Young by a minority of people, if you’re concerned for the safety of yourself or our children, the safety of taxi drivers, paramedics and the police, we can unite, stand up and be counted,” Gail wrote.

“And be able to say without fear ‘we are not going to accept this behaviour in our town’.”

“As citizens, we and our children are going to have the right to go out socially and arrive home safe in a taxi. We should not have to be subject to drunken/drugged-up fights and assaults or if we need an ambulance or the police, they and ourselves will have access to these services without fear,” she wrote.

The group page has become a platform for discussion, from issues such as curfews, alcohol laws, and the police’s need for witness statements – even down to a biblical verse on quarrelling has been added.

Those who have joined the efforts are praising the set-up of the page, saying that something needs to be done and what a great way to start.

Others have made suggestions, such as Mark Wells, who wrote ‘[it’s] time for reasonable closing time for venues and police presence back on the streets…And not just in Young’.

Kelly Slater reported that the latest news is that Young’s Police Inspector Ashleigh Holmes would be pleased to address the community or have a meeting – all the group needs to do is confirm a time and date.

Members have been asked to click on the ‘like’ button on this post if they would be willing to attend.

An invitation to a member of council to attend the meeting was also suggested.