CRIMINALS in the North West region have been warned to move interstate as a new specialist police squad prepares to move into Tamworth.

On Thursday, NSW Police Minister Troy Grant told local crooks to “move” out of the area when he announced a new Regional Enforcement Squad would be based in the city. Flanked by NSW police Deputy Commissioner for regional field operations Gary Worboys, Mr Grant issued a message to local crime figures.

“If you’re a crook and you’re in this area, my suggestion to you is (to) move,” he said. “We’ve got the specialist cops here that are going to make their life hell and that's exactly what the crooks deserve.”

A sergeant and three constables will form part of the squad which will investigate and tackle mid-level crime issues, including the fight against drugs in regional areas.

In what was hailed as a “win for country NSW” it was announced two new specialist domestic violence officers would be stationed in Tamworth as part of a western NSW high-risk domestic violence team.

“We think it’s going to make a tremendous difference to not just policing in and around this district but the local community here and that mid-level crime,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said. “These people show no boundaries, they will be able to police right across the district.

“They will be full-on into the crimes people in Tamworth hate to see occur. That is the mid-level drug supply (and) where people steal cars and go around breaking into homes and businesses. 

“We look forward to these people being on the ground in the very near future and making a significant difference to crime and community here in Tamworth.”

Oxley Local Area Command acting Superintendent Jeff Budd said the squad would complement the work undertaken by local police.

“The RES (enforcement squad) positions will give us the opportunity to up the ante on what we do now, chasing our crooks and chasing our druggies and you can be guaranteed that when we fully fill these positions we will lift the game,” he said.

“We also know the impacts of domestic violence among our community members and it’s all about trying to help those victims in the difficult times in their lives.”

Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said he was pleased to see more resources directed to the bush, to put a dent into ongoing crime issues.