RESIDENTS of a trouble-plagued Tamworth neighbourhood are banding together to fight youth crime – by giving the youngsters a place to call their own.
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The Coledale Action Team (CAT) wants to build a new youth centre to help alleviate the persistent problems of crime and anti-social
behaviour.
Oxley Local Area Command crime manager Inspector Greg Birtles convened the recent CAT meeting and said a new facility was needed in the area.
"Coledale is a hotspot for incidents such as break and enter, malicious damage, street offences and drug-related crime, the majority of which is perpetrated by juveniles," he said.
Inspector Birtles said a new youth centre away from the Coledale Community Centre would be effective.
"The CAT consider establishing a youth centre as a major step forward in addressing crime in the area as it gives the kids a safe place to go so they are not left wandering the streets," Inspector Birtles said.
"The youth workers at the community centre are admirable in the great job they do, but a centre off the premises would be more effective because it becomes a place that young people can own."
Coledale Community Centre change manager Martin Nean said the current youth centre arrangement was
inadequate.
"We only have a small room to provide youth services and are limited by occupational health and safety regulations, which stipulate we can only have five children there at a time, this is totally unrealistic," Mr Nean said. "We have only offered the service for one month and already have 28 youth members, unfortunately we need a roster for when they can visit."
He said Coledale was isolated in terms of youth services.
"Public transport ceases around 6pm and many youths don't have access to their own transport and they can't get to and from the PCYC."
Member for Tamworth Peter Draper, has joined CAT in their campaign and has agreed to make representations to the Minister for Community Services Reba Meagher.
