There have been calls for bollards to be installed in front of the Nowra Police Station after a car was driven up to the front doors of the station on Friday morning.
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Fairfax Media understands the NSW Police Association and in particular the Shoalhaven Association have been pushing to have bollards installed in front of the Nowra station.
Although there was nothing sinister in Friday morning’s incident, it’s been suggested it could have been a lot worse.
The woman, who was suffering severe mental health issues, drove her car along the footpath and up to the station’s front doors on the corner of Plunkett and Kinghorne streets before stopping.
She gained access to the station via a walkway on the Kinghorne Street, drove up the steep walkway before stopping in front of the station.
Staff have told Fairfax Media they and the police association has been calling for bollards to be installed, especially on the northern entrance to the station facing Plunkett Street, for months.
They say they fear the station is vulnerable to a “ram-raid type of attack”.
It is understood the Nowra woman in Friday’s incident was never any threat to police and was only seeking safe refuge.
She has since been taken to Shellharbour for a mental health assessment.
Shoalhaven Police Association chairperson Sue Dillon said the issue had been highlighted and brought to her superior’s attention several months ago.
“Risk assessments have been carried out and Superintendent Hegarty [South Coast Police District Commander] is well and truly aware of the situation,” she said
“We understand the issue is on the radar and things are processing.”