The latest Crime and Justice Bulletin, issued by the Bureau of Crime Statistics, revealed the rate of police-recorded assaults had more than doubled in NSW between 1990 and 2007.

Member for Tamworth Peter Draper said the figures backed recent calls for increased police numbers, better social support and the judiciary taking more account of public expectations across the Tamworth electorate.

Mr Draper suggested better early intervention, dealing with health-related issues and improved counselling and social support services, to move the focus from the custodial side of things to the rehabilitative approach, could deliver long-term solutions.

“The report said the increase largely occurred between 1990 and 2001, with the recorded assault rate stable since 2001,” he said.

“Does this mean we have grown to accept a doubling of assaults because it has remained stable for the last eight years?”

Mr Draper said he thought many people would be surprised to find the Sydney statistical division was far lower than any of the other 11 NSW statistical divisions.

The figures indicated rural and regional divisions were the worst affected, with North West and Far West having the worst recorded number of incidents.

Mr Draper said the system needed to take a firmer approach from the first time a person showed signs of a violent nature.

“The people of NSW expect authorities to deal with this problem, by investing the necessary funds to co-ordinate resources from various departments, be it community services, counselling or health – with special attention to mental health-alcohol rehabilitation, the police, judiciary, and unfortunately corrective services in some instances,” he said.

“Assault is a real public concern, whether it is domestic violence, child abuse, sexual or racial harassment, homophobic violence, bullying or violence in schools or sport.

“Like all epidemics, it is time we put control and containment measures in place before it gets totally out of hand.”