Orana Mid-Western Police District, Youth Off the Streets, Regional Enterprise Development Institute and Mission Australia organise engagement activities in Dubbo

Cops in a central western NSW town have teamed up with local advocacy groups in an effort to reduce youth crime. See the programs at work here.

Dubbo children were taken to Burrendong Dam to spend the day having fun with water activities. Photo: Supplied.

Police and multiple youth services have teamed up during the school holidays in a Central West town to increase proactive policing and engagement roles in the community following the rise of youth crime.

The Orana Mid-Western Police District Aboriginal youth team has organised activities alongside Mission Australia, Youth Off the Streets and Regional Enterprise Development Institute to engage and connect with students during the summer break for the past five years.

Senior constable Ian Burns said the team organised 40 children to attend Burrendong Dam with 15 kayaks, fishing rods and a ski boat to keep contact with students over the summer period.

“The summer program is all about keeping engagement with the kids, so we don’t lose contact with them over the holiday period, which has happened previously, and to give them something safe and fun to do,” Senior constable Burns said.

The kids also attended Buninyong Public School and were greeted by NSW Rugby League players to play a tag game, along with a water slide and water-based activities to “have fun and muck around”.

Kids having fun and keeping engaged at Buninyong Public School. Photo: Supplied.

“The Aboriginal youth team was formed about five years ago, through the now assistant commissioner Pete McKenna when he arrived in Dubbo, and crime was probably at an all-time high.

Children having fun at Buurendong Dam in Wellington. Photo: Supplied.

“He put a lot of time and resources into proactive policing and then he recognised police also had a role in engagement and diversion, so he kicked off the Aboriginal youth team which we’ve been a part of since its inception,” he said.

“Police have multiple roles and one of them is engagement.”

Youth Off the Streets case worker Mark Davies, Orana Mid-Western Police District senior constable Ian Burns and Regional Enterprise Development Institute community engagement officer Mark Prince. Photo: Tijana Birdjan.

Youth Off the Streets caseworker Mark Davies said his organisation's role in the program is to engage members of the community who are at risk of housing issues, leaving school and to promote cultural awareness.

“By engaging in these activities, we see if we can pick up any clients and further growth and attachment connections with young people,” Mr Davies said.

The team also invited parents and children to attend the Police Citizens Youth Club in Dubbo on Friday nights to empower young people in the community.