News of an escalation in youth crime in the Clarence Valley has gone right to the top of the Coffs Clarence Police District, with the Commander, Superintendent Joanne Schultz involved in implementing prevention and intervention strategies to prevent re-offending.
Superintendent Schultz told the CV Independent the police district has deployed resources locally to tackle the problem of youth crime.
“The NSW Police Force Youth Command, along with the Coffs – Clarence Police District, are actively engaged in programs that involve both prevention and intervention strategies for young people who are at risk of entering the criminal justice system,” she said.
“This includes specialist youth officers who work with local police to deliver NSW Police Force youth programs and youth initiatives, which focus on early intervention to prevent and disrupt crime.”
Superintendent Schultz said while NSW police are putting resources into tackling youth crime, locals can provide encouragement and mentorship to guide youths away from trouble.
“The Youth Engagement Officers work with the PCYC, schools and external service providers within the command to interact with and provide mentor opportunities to young people,” she said.
“While the NSW Police Force will continue to work to empower the youth to make the right decisions, there needs to be a concerted, societal effort to instil a sense of belonging and purpose to enable at-risk young individuals to reach their full potential.
“This could mean encouraging kids into activities such as work, school, community or sport.”
Last month, Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson joined calls by the Country Mayors Association of NSW for the Minns Labor Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into rural and regional crime, following a spike in crime in the Clarence and Richmond Valley’s.
“The most recent data from the authorities show that youth crime continues to rise, especially for stealing motor vehicles and break and enter offences,” Mr Williamson said.
“We need to have a look at everything from the formula used to determine the allocation of police numbers, to current resources and response times to reoffending rates.
“Front line policing needs to reflect present-day requirements in areas where police stations don’t operate 24/7 in every town.”
Mr Williamson said the NSW government needs to step up and support our hardworking local police.
“I am in no way pointing the finger at our hardworking local Police,” he said.
“They do an incredible job under very difficult conditions, but they deserve to be backed by government.
“Importantly, we need to hear first-hand the experiences of people living in rural and regional communities who have been subject to crime in their homes and in their businesses.
“People need to feel safe and secure in their local community and an inquiry is a step in the right direction to start to turn this around.”
This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 13 March 2024.
