TWO robberies this week in the Manning Valley will add weight to the community campaign to boost the police presence in Wingham.
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McKeough's Cake Shop in Wingham and Jack & Co service station in Commerce Street, Taree were hit on Wednesday and the two unrelated incidents will add fuel to community concerns about policing and crime in the region.
Police seek community assistance to identify two men in relation to the robbery at Jack & Co that occurred around 3.30am on May 27.
It is alleged the men entered the shop as a female staff member was working to open the business at 4am.
The woman received minor injuries during a scuffle with the two men and it is alleged they then stole a sum of cash and other items.
Witnesses across the road from Jack & Co saw the men running into Deb Street, Taree.
No other Jack & Co staff were present at the time of the incident and NSW ambulance officers attended the scene to provide the woman with treatment.
The first suspect is described as male, aged between 16 and 25 years with a thin build, around 170-180cm tall and wearing dark clothing.
He also wore a black balaclava on his head.
The second suspect is described as male, Aboriginal, aged between 16 and 25 years, around 175 - 190cm tall and also wearing dark clothing. His face was partially covered but he is described as having dark hair with a long fringe that sits close to bushy eyebrows.
Police request that anyone with information about the identity of the men to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Taree Police Station on 6552 0399.
Almost 12 hours later, police were called to McKeough's Cake Shop in Wingham following the alleged armed robbery of the popular bakery in Bent Street.
It is alleged that just after 2.30pm a man entered the shop and purchased a drink from a female shop assistant and that as the employee was taking payment from the man, he produced a knife and demanded money.
It is alleged that while the cash register was open the man removed a sum of money and then ran from the premises to a laneway at the rear of the shops. The employee was uninjured during the incident.
Police later attended a home on Summerville Street in Wingham and arrested an 18-year-old man. He was taken to Taree Police Station, where he was charged with robbery armed with offensive weapon and remanded in custody to appear at Forster Local Court.
The two unrelated incidents will be a catalyst for community discussions about policing and crime and may help to raise the profile of a campaign to secure a full-time police officer for Wingham.
Last week in Wingham Central Park a group of local residents gathered to express their concerns about crime and policing with member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead.
Local resident Michelle Bird attended the meeting and advised Mr Bromhead that she had started a petition on change.org called, 'Bring back a full time police officer to the Wingham community', petitioning the NSW police commissioner, the acting superintendent, and local members of parliament.
At the time of going to print it had attracted more than 620 signatures and Michelle told this week's Wingham Chronicle it is her goal is to reach 5000.
Michelle said she decided to start the petition as she was fed up with the situation after waking up and reading people's Facebook statuses about incidents.
"It's sad to see Wingham go downhill," she said.
"I've been hearing noises after dark that I never used to. Now I keep everything locked.
"Nikole Honner's house in Stockyard Circuit has been broken into twice in the past week, both times while she was at home, and one of those times while she was in the shower. Nikole only knew of the break-ins because items such as cigarettes, jumpers and shoes had been taken.
"They are so sneaky about it," she said.
Michelle said she was taking the drastic measure of cutting down all of the trees at the front of her property so that it was not so hidden from view.
There was a general consensus amongst the people talking to Mr Bromhead that residents do not call police as "they're never going to get here," Nicole said.
"Kids know that it's going to be at least 20 minutes before the cops come from Taree."
After listening to the concerns of the group, Mr Bromhead agreed that he would love to see a full time police presence in Wingham and would write to the superintendent to ask him to look at the situation and meet with concerned residents.
Mr Bromhead, a former police officer, said that the Northern Region, which includes the Manning Great Lakes command, was the only region in NSW to have received an increase in police numbers in recent years.
He said that since December 2013, the Manning Great Lakes command has had an increase of five police, four detectives and seven general duties officers.