Community & Business
17 September, 2025
Member for Barwon, Roy Butler welcomes drop in youth crime statistics
A drop in youth crime rates of up to 42 per cent in parts of Barwon has been welcomed by the Member for Barwon, Roy Butler, but he says youth residential diversion programs are needed to ensure continued improvement.
The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOSCAR) figures for the latest quarter up to June 2025 show a 12 per cent reduction in regional youth crime over the last two years, and a 42 per cent drop in the Far West and Orana regions, which include Broken Hill and Bourke.
While this is great news, Mr Butler has pointed out that many Barwon residents still face unacceptably high rates of crime.
For example, Barwon makes up eight of the top ten highest local government areas for domestic violence, and seven of the top ten for sexual offences, break and enter, motor vehicle theft, and malicious damage to property.
“Barwon communities have become gradually safer over the last 20 years, but there is still a long way to go until residents can live free from the fear of crime,” said Mr Butler.
“The state government has tightened bail laws, but I believe most of the credit for the recent youth crime reduction is due to police operations.
“The community expects people to be jailed for serious crimes, but we also know that it costs $1.2 million a year to keep a young person in Juvenile Justice and more than 80 per cent will commit more serious crimes once they’re released.
“For lower-level crimes, magistrates should be required to send young offenders to residential diversion programs that are outside of towns on country, led by elders.
“These programs show young people an alternative path, with the potential to improve their own lives while also bringing down local crime rates.
“The NSW government included funding for such programs in this year’s Budget, and I look forward to working with local communities to get these facilities up and running,” Mr Butler concluded.
