Assaults sparks safety warning

“Contact police when you witness something suspicious whether its a person or a vehicle or anything unusual in your neighbourhood because police presence can reduce the risk of crime,” Griffith Lion’s Club president Brian Bortolin said.

The call comes after a 20-year-old man allegedly broke into a Griffith home and indecently assaulted a 28-year-old woman on Sunday morning.

Officers were called to a Couch Road home by the victim about 2.15am and the man was charged with aggravated break and enter, commit serious indictable offence and indecent assault. 

Mr Bortolin reminded residents to keep their doors locked including back doors and garage doors regardless if they are home.

“People need to be vigilant and keep there doors locked because there are people out there with the wrong intentions and prevention is better than a cure with things like this,” he said.

“Avoid unlocking and opening the front door if you don’t know the person, ask through a closed door who the person is before opening it event if the person looks like they are working or from a company ask for ID.”

Mr Bortolin also urged residents to look-out for their neighbours and be mindful of the Behind Closed Doors Campaign, which encourages people to contact police if they suspect someone is experiencing domestic violence.

“That phone call can save a life and it’s important to remember the caller remains anonymous, the most important thing is it will create a police presence.” he said.

In a second incident, a 25-year-old man has sustained serious injuries after he was brutally attacked in Banna Avenue.

Police were patrolling the vicinity of the Griffith Art Gallery when they discovered the 25-year-old collapsed on the footpath with serious head injuries, about 2.45am.

 He remains in Griffith Base Hospital in a serious but stable condition.