Policing boost targets youth crime cycle

Preventing youth crime is the spotlight of a new policing initiative at Wyndham.

The state government announced last week it will earmark $700,000 to explore what prompts young people to commit crimes.

The grant will fund a community-led partnership charged with coming up with youth crime prevention strategies that are based on evidence.

Another grant, of $250,000, will upgrade facilities at Kelly Park Piazza in a bid to deter antisocial behaviour at the Werribee park.

The grants will help fund changes to the public toilet, footpath and park furniture, with the aim being to discourage illegitimate uses of the toilet block and encourage positive uses of the park.

Werribee MP Tim Pallas said the state government is committed to helping boost public safety in Werribee.

“We’re working to break the cycle of youth offending in Wyndham through a targeted grants program,” he said.

The funding comes as part of the state government’s law and order blitz.

This will include the recruitment of an additional 2729 police over the next four years, the establishment of a 24-hour police help line for non-emergency calls, and the commissioning of three new police helicopters.