Local Goonellabah resident Andre Els's car was broken into recently, luckily there was no serious loss or damage to Andre's property.

After conversations with neighbours, Andre discovered they too had been targeted by criminals in recent weeks with houses and cars along Oliver Avenue being the main area for young criminals.

Fed up with the latest trend of crime in his neighbourhood, Andre hired a room at the Lismore Workers Club in Goonellabah then hit social media to publicise a public meeting on Sunday, March 3 to get as many people as possible to show up and discuss the continuous crime spree.

Andre told the Lismore App he had over 127 responses within 24 hours, took ten phone calls and a number of emails supporting the idea of a public meeting and relating their own stories.

"I have had an amazing response," Andre said, "I really didn't think this would open up a hornet's nest."

"I've heard stories of a single mother in bed with her daughter when the break-in occurred. They stayed quiet while the thieves were rummaging through the house. Another guy was in bed when they broke in. They were lucky his Rottweiler didn't wake up."

"Several others have had their house broken into to grab the car keys and trash the car."

"It doesn't make sense as nothing is stolen in most cases but people are worried. One lady who called me is living with her elderly father and she is scared as are a lot of people."

The meeting of the residents of Goonellabah organised by Andre is to discuss the situation and come up with ideas to combat the situation.

"Most of these break-ins are by underage kids and happen between 1am and 2am. They know police are on skeleton staff and will take a long time to get to a house in Goonellabah and that if they were caught nothing will happen to them. Police have their hands tied and don't seem able to help."

"We want to do everything legally, hence the meeting. One idea is that people have a phone number they can ring so a group of people can go around and maybe make a citizens arrest."

"We just want to try and support everyone and keep everyone safe."

Every concerned Goonellabah resident is invited to the Goonellabah Workers Sports Club on Sunday, March 3 at 10:30am to put ideas forward that will help solve the issue.

Andre has invited members of the Richmond Police District to the meeting as well.