New Violence Reduction Units (VRUs) pioneered in the UK will be trialled in the city and the bush as part of a landmark $36 million package by the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government aimed at tackling youth crime and keeping at-risk youth on track.
The package will see VRUs piloted at Penrith and Wagga Wagga over the next two years, expansion of the Police-led Youth Action Meetings (YAMs) and investment in life-changing PCYC programs to reach even more young people in need.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole said the package was an investment in the next generation and backed programs that will assist 30,000 young people across the State.
“This package is about driving real change and supporting the next generation to reach their potential. It builds on what we know is working locally as well as trying new approaches, like the VRUs, that have been so successful elsewhere,” Mr Tool said.
“VRUs bring together government agencies across a range of areas like health, housing, education, youth services and mental health practitioners and arm them with the latest data and trends to develop tailored support for those that need it most.
“Eighteen VRUs currently operate in the United Kingdom and have played a crucial role in preventing youth crime there. That’s why we want to try the concept here to see what difference it could make.”
The $36 million package includes:
- $6.4 million over two years to Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) model in Penrith and Wagga Wagga run by the Department of Community and Justice’s Youth Justice team;
- $10.2 million over four years to continue the Youth Action Meeting (YAMs) model in Coffs Harbour and Bourke, and expand the program to nine other locations across the State;
- $6.5 million over two years to expand four key PCYC programs across the State; and
- $13.6 million over two years to continue the Youth Justice program, Youth on Track, in seven locations.
Mr Toole said the Youth Action Meeting model brings together police, community groups and government agencies to drive tailored solutions to local issues.
“Already Youth Action Meetings are making a real difference by providing on the ground support for at-risk youth in Coffs Harbour and Bourke. Expanding the program will help many more young people turn their lives around.”
Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the $13.6 million investment in Youth on Track will allow more young people to change their lives for the better.
“Youth on Track provides intensive case management and tailored interventions to meet the needs of young people at risk of long-term involvement in the criminal justice system,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
“This will build on our commitment to reduce re-offending while delivering positive outcomes for young people who are at risk across the state.”
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Regional Field Operations, Paul Pisanos, said the NSW Police Force will continue to support a whole-agency and community approach to assisting youth at risk.
“We always strive to work with other agencies to try to keep youth out of the criminal justice system and onto the right diversionary pathways,” Mr Pisanos said.
“Youth Action Meetings are specifically designed to manage youth at-risk cases and reduce the instance of re-offending, or the young person progressing to more serious crime and ending up before the courts.
“To date, the YAMs programs in Coffs Harbour and Bourke have seen successful results and we welcome any boost to extending the program to at-need communities across the state.”
PCYC CEO Dominic Teakle welcomed the funding announcement.
“This funding will enable PCYC to take its successful life-changing programs to more communities, reaching more young people in need. The whole community benefits when a young person contributes positively to society and is diverted from an alternative path of counter-productive behaviour,” Mr Teakle said.
“These programs work. They develop life skills, team work and mindfulness which changes people’s lives and creates hope for a better future.”
