Police in western New South Wales are being accused of not responding to numerous reports of break-ins targeting international backpackers.
Key points:
- International backpackers accuse police of not responding to reports of break ins
- The staff are working on the construction of a solar farm near Wellington
- The backpackers say the thieves have stolen valuable documents like passports
Dozens of staff building a solar farm at Wellington protested outside the local police station on Wednesday night, calling on officers to investigate a series of burglaries.
Argentinian backpacker Adrian Arlegre said several of their homes have been broken into in recent months, with the thieves stealing documents and drivers' licences.
"Our passports, other documents, clothes, make-up as well."
Report attempts unsuccessful
Mr Arlegre said he and his colleagues had repeatedly tried to report the break-ins to police at Wellington but to no avail.
"They say they only have two police and one guy must be always in the office, and the other guy is checking around all the houses," he said.
The international backpackers who have had their passports stolen will have to travel to Sydney or Canberra to have them reissued.
Fears for safety
Mr Arlegre said the frequency of the break-ins was unsettling.
"We really feel unsafe," he said.
"Six houses (being broken into) a week in a small town doesn't even happen in Argentina."
In a statement, Western Region Police reassured the community that they take all reports of crime seriously.
The rate of property-related incidents in Wellington remained stable, police said.
According to the statement, police said the town's officer in charge would continue to work closely with concerned members of the community who attended the station on Wednesday night.