Barry O’Farrell is sitting on his hands and refusing to end the gangland violence – despite the worst spate of shootings in a decade continuing overnight with a drive by attack on a business in Rockdale, said Opposition Leader John Robertson.

“There have been 56 shootings since Barry O’Farrell became Premier, almost all in south and western Sydney,” said Mr Robertson.

“With the Premier refusing to take decisive action – it is only a matter of time before an innocent bystander is injured or killed.

“Police need three things to end the violence – tough anti bikie laws to stop these criminals in their tracks, cash rewards to encourage witnesses to come forward with information and more police on the ground to protect the community and deter further attacks.

“Barry O’Farrell expects our hardworking police to fight this war with both hands tied behind their backs – it’s not good enough.

“People’s lives are being put at risk by reckless gun men, terrorising suburban streets and shooting up houses, cars and businesses.

“Last night, 15 shots were fired at a business on a busy main road in Rockdale – making it the 56th shooting in ten months.

“The St George Local Area Command, which is responsible for policing in Rockdale, is currently three officers short.

“This means there aren’t enough police on the ground in Rockdale to meet basic day to day operational needs, let alone respond to drive by shooting after drive by shooting.

“The Premier needs to put more police on the ground, and should recall the Parliament immediately to give police the powers they need to outlaw organised crime gangs and stop the violence.

“If these shootings were happening on the North Shore or in the Premier’s electorate of Ku-ring-gai, the streets would be flooded with police.

“Barry O’Farrell seems to have taken the attitude that residents in south and western Sydney should just learn to live with the violence.

“It shouldn’t take the death of an innocent bystander to compel the Premier to act – by then it will be too late.”