Community Safety

Page Updated: April 30, 2008

Community Safety

One of the basic rights of the community is to feel safe and secure in their homes and their environment. Police statistics indicate crime in Warringah is lower than the State average in all cases, except for drink driving. However, the fear of crime is quite prevalent.

In response to community concerns Council developed the Safe Warringah Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan 2005-2008. The NSW Attorney General endorsed this plan in 2005.

The Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan has four key areas:

Malicious damage and anti-social behaviour
Theft from motor vehicles, break and enter and theft of personal property
Assaults and violence
Perception of crime and fear of crime

Stakeholders

Safe Warringah Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan stakeholders include the NSW Police, Manly Drug Education Centre, local licensed premises and the Chamber of Commerce:

Seniors Secure at Home Project 2007

The project aimed to reduce the incidence and fear of break and enter in older residents' homes in Warringah through a grant from the Crime Prevention Division of the NSW Attorney General's Department. The project had two components:

Trained volunteers provided a free home security inspection and information, engraving of valuables and a property record. Residents could repair or purchase security devices with a financial contribution from Council, and installation by local tradespeople at a basic rate.
Information at public information workshops from the Crime Prevention Officer of the Local Area Command, with a demonstration by a local hardware warehouse on improved home security. Project staff and volunteers were also available to speak with organisations and at seniors groups meetings.

Police Assistance Line

Dial 000 for crimes in progress and other urgent situations. To report a non-urgent crime contact the Police Assistance Line (PAL) on 131 444. The Police Assistance Line is suitable for:

Break, enter and steal
Motor vehicle theft
Stealing from a motor vehicle
Stealing
Malicious damage
Minor motor vehicle collisions
Lost property

Council’s Graffiti hotline

Council takes the issue of graffiti very seriously and removes graffiti on a priority basis from its properties. Council also works with the Dee Why Chamber of Commerce and other public authorities and businesses that suffer from graffiti such as the RTA for faster graffiti removal.

Council Rangers report new graffiti to Council’s cleaning teams. The NSW Police is responsible for enforcement action against perpetrators. Council offers a $1000 reward to the public for the conviction of people caught carrying out illegal graffiti.

As well as removal and punitive approaches Council operates an innovative proactive program through its Youth Services team. Legal graffiti walls, legal murals and spray–in sessions are held Thursdays at youth centres. These projects aim to distract young people away from carrying out illegal graffiti and promote the artistic legal aspects. These projects commenced with assistance from the NSW Attorney Generals BEAT Graffiti Grants Program.

Council Graffiti Hotline - 9942 2800
Graffiti