It’s even more difficult to understand why the Hunter Valley Local Area Command (LAC) is actually based in Muswellbrook and not Singleton.

Singleton’s population is almost double that of Muswellbrook’s, yet the station isn’t manned 24 hours a day.

Politicians and local citizens are now becoming more vocal about the situation.

And, it’s a sad state of affairs when residents are using social media, like Facebook, in an attempt to solve crimes – more often related to theft.

Singleton was the focus of a recent radio program where people lodged a number of complaints about the poor response times in this LAC.

One caller intimated that officers from Cessnock were forced to attend a matter because she couldn’t get through to anyone in town.

This is just not acceptable – and the NSW Government needs to step in much sooner rather than later.