The NSW Government has announced more than $23 million in targeted funding to address youth crime and improve community safety across regional NSW.
The new investment focuses on two key priorities: breaking the cycle of reoffending among young people on bail and preventing at-risk youth from entering the justice system in the first place.
It also bolsters support in high-priority regional communities for bail supervision, intensive case management, and early intervention and diversion, said NSW Premier, Chris Minns.
“This package is about giving local people the tools they need to turn things around for their young people,” said the Premier.
“These are complex issues that won’t be solved overnight, but we are in this for the long haul.
“What we don’t want to see is young people wrapped up in the justice system again and again, which is why this package is a balance of intervention, prevention and wrap around support measures.”
The funding package includes $12 million to continue place-based responses in Moree and expand responses in Tamworth and Kempsey; and $6.3 million to provide intensive bail supervision and support for young people.
A further $5 million will establish a new Community Safety Investment Fund, open to community and non-government organisations across NSW. The fund will back innovative and potentially scalable local initiatives that prevent or respond to youth offending, strengthen families, and build safer, more cohesive communities.
“The NSW Police are working day in, day out to address youth crime and steer kids towards making better choices – they are doing everything the police can do,” said NSW Minister for Police, Yasmin Catley.
“We know we can’t arrest our way out of this which is why the Government is working to help break the cycle by implementing targeted diversionary programs and addressing the root drivers of this offending,” she said.
“This funding package reflects how we are working to help young people not to commit a crime in the first place, by funding locally based programs co-developed with local people, that can make a real difference by offering viable alternative pathways within communities,” said Minister for Youth Justice, Jihad Dib.
