WA Police has pronounced Operation Regional Shield a success after the number of youth crime offences in the Kimberley region decreased by 42 per cent since the campaign’s introduction earlier this year.
Operation Regional Shield was launched in Broome to tackle the acute issue of youth crime and involved placing additional police officers and assets where they were needed, when they were needed.
Since Regional Shield began in Broome in February, youth crime in the Kimberley has declined in key categories including burglary, stealing and property offences.
In a statement, WA Police said $2.5 million had been allocated to fund Regional Shield, a law enforcement contribution to a multi-Agency effort aimed at improving community safety by tackling youth crime in the regions.
Minister for Police, Paul Papalia said the challenge of juvenile offending had been caused by many decades of disadvantage and dysfunction.
“It will not be solved quickly, and it will take time and effort by all tiers of Government and the community,” Mr Papalia said.
Meanwhile, ‘Right-way Hunting’ and ‘Swimming on Horseback’ programs are among 11 innovative youth engagement projects awarded funding under Round One of the Kimberley Community Action Fund grants program.
More than $660,000 has been made available to support local initiatives to reduce crime, improve community safety and security, and provide engaging activities and places for young people at risk of offending.
Administered through the Kimberley Development Commission, the funding is available for everything from security for building to innovative ways of engaging families to keep kids safe and off the streets at night.
