The NSW Opposition is calling on the Minns Labor Government to take immediate action to stop violent repeat youth offenders from terrorising rural communities after yet another widespread escalation.

In the past couple of weeks, a motel owner was stabbed in Moree, a mother had her car stolen after being threatened with a machete at a pool in Walgett, and a gang of youths carried out a home invasion, an armed robbery and a break-and-enter in one night at Kempsey.

NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said it shows the horrifying reality of what regional residents are going through.

“Right now we have people literally barricading themselves inside their homes petrified to unlock the doors and windows, and mayors writing to the Premier and begging him for help because this crisis is continuing to spiral out of control,” Mr Saunders said.

“At the centre of this is young ringleaders who are being let out on bail over and over again because Chris Minns is refusing to do anything, sending them a message that they can do whatever they want and get away with it.”

Member for the Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan said more needs to be done to close the revolving door.

“We have been dealing with a significant increase in crime in Moree for about 24 months, and as the local member, and also a Moree resident, I feel like the government isn’t listening to us,” Mr Moylan said.

“The system is failing, and our communities are left to repeatedly suffer because Government inaction is putting them at risk.”

Mr Saunders said the Minns Government were recently given a chance to make changes – but didn’t.

“Last month, Labor had a chance to make a real change but chose to walk away from protecting our communities by voting down the Opposition’s bail bill in Parliament,” he said.

“When you have the same kids, committing the same crimes, and being dealt with under the same laws, you’re only ever going to get the same result.”

Media reports say some of the kids arrested in Kempsey this week were suspected over an incident in August that saw them drive stolen cars at officers, who were forced to draw their weapons.

Member for Oxley Michael Kemp said it raises serious questions about what level of violence will warrant keeping these dangerous culprits off our streets.

“It’s hard to believe a repeat youth offender can steal cars, run a roadblock, get shot at by cops, get caught and put on bail before carrying out other multiple offences like aggravated break and enter and then have bail granted again,” Mr Kemp said.

“Our police are sick to death of their work being undercut by weak bail laws that not only see these perpetrators released before their victims are out of hospital, but in some cases before the cops are even back at the station.”