DRAFT CRIME PREVENTION PLAN 2019-2023 - Amazon AWS
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Crime Prevention Plan 2019-2023
DRAFT CRIME
PREVENTION
PLAN
2019-2023
1
2
Crime Prevention Plan
Message
from the
Mayor
Welcome to the Draft Crime Prevention Plan
2019-2023.
Parramatta is a great city undergoing an
incredible transformation. Working alongside
our partners in state and federal government,
we are building the cultural, health, education
and transport infrastructure of the future.
As part of this change, we will be delivering a
safer city. A safer city bolsters local commerce,
jobs and public amenity. A safer city is one
where our events attracts visitors to Parramatta,
delivering the promise of a positive experience.
A safer city is an important plank in building the
reputation of our city into the future.
This Draft Crime Prevention Plan outlines our
plans for a safer Parramatta. This plan involves
a mixture of new and existing initiatives which
include improved street lighting, closed circuit
television, cleansing, waste and graffiti removal
services, development assessment and strategic
planning with crime prevention in mind, bringing
people together and building and maintaining
our beautiful network of parks, reserves and
green spaces.
A safer Parramatta requires a degree of
collaboration across key stakeholders and the
community. On behalf of the City of Parramatta,
I look forward to hearing your feedback on this
plan over the coming weeks.
Regards,
Councillor Andrew Wilson
Lord Mayor, City of Parramatta
3
Executive Summary
Executive Summary
The problems associated with crime The plan includes a detailed The key to success for the Draft Crime
and safety in local communities have a community consultation process to Prevention Plan 2019-2023 will be
major impact on the quality of people’s better understand how safe people achieving broad agreement of the
lives. All over the world the public and feel in a variety of settings during need to work cooperatively. Crime
private sectors are realising that the the day and night. This will help to and safety issues are complex,
causes of crime or the risk associated guide Council and its partners in interdependent and embrace the
with offending behaviour are complex identifying public areas which will activities of every group and
and that Police departments alone require additional attention in terms individual with a stake in the
cannot successfully address the twin of improving the look and the feel of community. The safest communities
problems of responding to crime our environment and reinforces that are not those with the most police and
and correcting the conditions which there are groups in the community with prisons but those with the strongest
contribute to crime. their own specific needs such as young community structures including
people. cohesive families and socialisation
The Draft Crime Prevention Plan
and economic opportunities. The plan
2019-2023 provides a focus for Council On a social level our findings reveal
aims to reinforce the notion that
to take the lead agency role in that there is a strong relationship
people must not only share a sense of
identifying and responding to crime between how safe people feel in their
ownership of their place but also feel
and safety risks and working with our local area and their level of community
a connection to those who share that
partners to make our communities attachment to the people they live
space with them. In this way
safer, stronger and better places. The amongst. An area that is clean and
community bonds are strengthened, a
City of Parramatta recognises that well maintained and with high levels
reasonable quality of life is assured
crime and anti-social behaviour is of community involvement are other
and safer places are created.
a genuine community concern and important measures identified around
we must continue to work hard at feeling safe.
resolving issues which affect both the
The strategies outlined in the plan
reality of crime and the perceptions
emphasise a commitment to working
that people have in different places
effectively with committed partners on
at different times. A summary of the
a range of different initiatives aimed at
key crimes taking place in the area
addressing a range of often complex
has involved extensive discussions
issues with each one going some way
with local police who inform us that
toward addressing part of the problem.
the area is generally tracking well
Coordinating responses, committing
with some of the major crimes at their
resources, keeping everyone involved
lowest levels recorded. Four key crimes
and informed, ensuring that progress
have been highlighted and Police
is monitored and evaluating both
caution that while crime rates may
our processes and our outcomes will
be low we must continue to remain
ensure that we can continue to address
vigilant and take affirmative action
existing issues and to anticipate and
in terms of reporting crime and / or
respond to issues which will inevitably
suspicious behaviour.
emerge and evolve.
4
Crime Prevention Plan
Recognition of the
Darug Peoples
The City of Parramatta respectfully Today we are proud to acknowledge
acknowledges the traditional owners Parramatta as a significant meeting
and custodians of the land and waters place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
of Parramatta, the Darug Peoples. We Islander peoples from throughout
recognise that Parramatta has been Australia and the vital role they have
home to the Darug people for over played and will continue to play in
60,000 years and they maintain an the ecological, economic, social and
ongoing connection to Country. cultural of our city.
The City of Parramatta recognises
the loss and grief by Aboriginal
people caused by alienation from
traditional lands and their spiritual
relationship to that land. We
acknowledge and recognise the
heritage of the Aboriginal struggle
and its achievements and the right
of first peoples to live according
to their own beliefs, values and
customs. We celebrate Aboriginal
people’s contribution to strengthening
and enriching the heritage of all
Australians.
5
City of Parramatta Contents Introduction – Community Safety and Crime Prevention in Parramatta 8 Part One – Background- Planning and Statutory Context 10 1.1 The Commonwealth Government Community Safety and Crime Prevention 10 1.2 New South Wales Government and Crime Prevention 10 1.3 Legislative Framework – N.S.W. and Local Government 10 1.4 Role of Local Government in Community Safety and Crime Prevention 11 1.5 Guiding Principles 11 1.6 Parramatta Local Government Area Demographics and Key characteristics 12 Part Two – Crime Profile Parramatta Local Government Area 15 2.1 Crime Statistics Parramatta Local Government Area 2013-2018 15 2.2 Crime trends in New South Wales 22 2.3 N.S.W Police and Parramatta Council 22 Part Three - Existing Research Crime, Safety and Community Parramatta 24 3.1 Parramatta 2018 - 2038 Community Strategic Plan 24 3.2 City of Parramatta – Micromex – Benchmarking Sentiment Research (2016) 24 3.3 Benchmark Sentiment Report, Focus Groups Report (2016) 25 3.4 Needs of Young People in the Parramatta CBD (2016) 25 3.5 Socially Sustainable Parramatta Framework (2017) – Sharing the opportunities of growth for all 25 3.6 Community Safety Summary Report September 2017 25 3.7 Eat Street Survey of Customers and Business Owners 2018 26 3.8 Draft Parramatta Night City Framework 2019-2023 26 3.9 Our City My Life Survey 2019 27 Part Four Community Consultation – Crime Prevention Plan 2019-2023 28 4.1 Parramatta CBD Safety 28 6
Crime Prevention Plan 2019-2023
4.2 Neighbourhood / Local Area Safety 28
4.3 Ward Variations 29
4.4 Young People 29
4.5 Wentworth Point 30
4.6 Community Attachment and Perceptions of Safety 30
4.7 Council responsibility for Safety 31
Part Five – Crime Prevention Plan 2019-2023 33
5.1 Aim 33
5.2 Objectives 33
5.3 Strategies and Actions 34
5.4 Monitoring and Evaluation 41
References 42
7
Introduction – Community Safety and Crime Prevention in Parramatta
Introduction –
Community Safety and Crime
Prevention in Parramatta
Sydney and by extension Parramatta is yet there are many social issues that taking a strong leadership role, and
by international standards a very safe can contribute either to rates of crime delivering on its own commitments,
city. There are many explanations for or poor quality of life. Many of these Council can continue to play a pivotal
why one city is safer than another but issues and concerns are complex and role in shaping places, reducing and
by and large safe cities share certain beyond the direct control and preventing crime and supporting local
characteristics including being strong influence of Council, such as policing people to lead fulfilling lives.
representative democracies with a high and other elements of the criminal
With that in mind this plan is divided
standard of governance, economic justice system, public transport, health,
into five key parts:
prosperity, efficient and trustworthy schools, and housing. Like communities
institutions and a commitment to all over the world Parramatta is facing 1. Background – which provides the
equality. its own unique crime and safety policy context for Crime Prevention
problems which are the result of at all three levels of Government
Community safety promotes a
complex changes in economic, social in Australia as well as some local
multi-stakeholder approach that is
and cultural factors. demographic data and guiding
driven by an analysis of local needs
principles
focusing on a range of social issues This plan is essentially about being
to implement short and long term able to anticipate emerging problems 2. Crime Profile – which summarises
solutions to problems in specific and being prepared to take action to the key crimes in relation to the
communities. Crime prevention on prevent those problems developing Parramatta Local Government Area
the other hand refers to the range of and becoming entrenched. To deliver (LGA)
strategies that are implemented by the community’s vision for a safer
individuals, communities, businesses, Parramatta it is critical that genuine 3. Review of Existing Research
non-government organisations and partnerships with various stakeholders - relating to crime and safety in
all levels of government to target the and partners are established and Parramatta LGA
various social and environmental developed including other levels
4. Research and Early Consultation –
factors that increase the risk of crime, of government and their affiliated
including a summary of the process to
disorder and victimisation.1 The two agencies, local businesses and
inform the actions in the plan and
terms are often used interchangeably. industry, educational institutions,
Crime rates in Parramatta like many community groups, and other service 5. Strategies and Actions – detailing
other areas in Sydney and indeed providers as well as local residents. what will be achieved, by which partner
across the country are relatively low By building strong partnerships, within a given time frame.
8Crime Prevention Plan
9Part One - Background
Part One - Background
Planning and Statutory Context
1.1 The Commonwealth Integrity - oversight and accountability reoffending and improve community
of Australia’s public institutions and safety and confidence in the justice
Government Community
promotion of trust in government system by aiming to reduce adult re-
Safety and Crime Prevention decision-making. A particular offending by 5%.3
focus for the department is
The main Commonwealth agency for
crime prevention at the national level
ensuring that Australia’s security is 1.3 Legislative Framework
is the Commonwealth Government’s
safeguarded while respecting rights – N.S.W. and Local
and liberties including providing
Attorney General’s Office whose Government
advice to government on key
primary purpose is to achieve a
integrity frameworks and promoting Under the Local Government Act
just and secure society through the
administrative decision-making (1993) local Councils are responsible
maintenance and improvement of
approaches across the Australian for managing public land. This
Australia's law, justice, security and
Government.2 means in effect that Councils have a
integrity frameworks as follows:
responsibility for maintaining a sense
Legal - The provision of legal 1.2 New South Wales of safety and security in relation to
services and promotion of whole-of- Government and Crime the users of public land. The Local
government approaches to managing Government Act gives Councils the
Prevention
significant legal issues which protect power to issue and enforce orders
the rule of law and ensuring outcomes Under Safer Communities in the N.S.W. which aim to prevent activities that
are achieved while minimising legal Government Premier’s Priorities two place members of the public at risk.
risk. key issues are listed which relate to
In accordance with the Children
crime and safety namely:
Justice – providing legislation, policy (Protection and Parental Responsibility)
and programs to meet changes Reducing violent crime - ensuring Act 1997, the N.S.W. Department of
in social norms and community that all New South Wales (N.S.W.) Justice supports local councils as
expectations including supporting Local Government Areas (LGAs) have lead agencies for identifying and
and protecting people experiencing stable or falling reported violent crime implementing local crime prevention
violence in the family, reinforcing rates by 2019, with work focusing on strategies in N.S.W. The recommended
marriage equality and improving how reducing violent crime rates across the methodology forms the five key parts
and when people engage with the whole of N.S.W. and of this plan.
justice system.
Reducing adult re-offending - In addition under the Environmental
Security - work closely with partners, Reoffending rates in NSW are high, Planning and Assessment Act (1979)
locally and internationally, to with the majority of prisoners in the the assessment of development
keep people safe by providing the state having offended before. The proposals requires Councils, as
legislation so that intelligence and law N.S.W. Government claims that a the consent authority, to consider
enforcement agencies have the powers small group of persistent offenders is and assess whether an application
they need to be in the best position to responsible for the majority of crime. addresses community safety and crime
manage emerging issues. The Government is working to reduce prevention matters.
10Crime Prevention Plan
1.4 Role of Local Government potential criminals. Councils are • Redresses social, economic and
responsible for a range of initiatives cultural disadvantage
in Community Safety and
related to social crime prevention • Promotes healthy lifestyles
Crime Prevention including providing community and and well-being including a
social services, planning and programs commitment to harm minimisation
Council has a major role to play in
to many sections of the community • Recognises that crime prevention
designing, building and maintaining
including children, young people, older is complex and requires multi-
public spaces, and regulating the
people and people with disabilities and faceted approaches which
planning and building of private
developing policies that affect local address the specific needs of
developments. Council’s existing
businesses with a range of partners all specific locations and vulnerable
strategies to develop safe and
of which contribute to creating healthy, populations
inclusive places include land use
liveable, sustainable and safe cities. • Respects the right of all
planning to develop integrated,
well connected and accessible community members to use
neighbourhoods, and working with
1.5 Guiding Principles public spaces without fear or
private and public partners to enable intimidation.
The City of Parramatta is committed
socially sustainable urban renewal. to a community safety and crime
Council’s development control plans prevention approach that:
and local environment plan set out
detailed provisions for minimising • Delivers a measurable reduction in
the opportunity for undesirable or crime
criminal behaviour. Council is active in • Delivers social justice and access
designing, building, maintaining and and equity to all groups in the
activating major public spaces such community
as Centenary Square and Parramatta • Delivers good practice evidence-
Square in the Parramatta CBD, as based and socially and
well as local streets and laneways economically sustainable solutions
and implementing a placemaking that provide the greatest benefit
approach to local neighbourhoods to all members of the community
and areas of urban renewal. These • Works in partnership and in
approaches are known as situational meaningful consultation with other
crime prevention approaches which levels of Government, Non-
like other primary crime prevention Government and community
measures tends to focus on reducing organisations, businesses and
crime opportunities. residents
• Includes an active advocacy role
Local government is also a key player that promotes comprehensive and
in social or community-based crime coordinated public policy
prevention which focuses more on responses to crime.
the characteristics of criminals or
11Part One - Background
1.6 Parramatta Local Government
Area Demographics and Key
Characteristics
• Beecroft
• North Rocks
• Carlingford • Epping
• Winston Hills
• Seven Hills • Old Toongabbie
• Northmead • Telopea
•D
undas
• Toongabbie Valley
•N
orth • Oatlands
Parramatta • Dundas
• Pendle Hill
• Wentworthville
• Rydalmere
• Ermington
• Camellia
• Westmead
•M
ays • Parramatta CBD
Hills • Wentworth
• Rosehill Point
• Harris Park
• Clyde
• Silverwater
Newington •
•S
ydney
Olympic
Park
12Crime Prevention Plan
Our City in Numbers
OUR PEOPLE
• 235,000 in 2016 (2,800 people per km2)
Population
• 390,000 forecast for 2036 (4,650 people per km2)
• Median age = 34 years (NSW = 38 years)
• 9 in 10 residents are proud to be part of the Parramatta area.
• 85,600 dwellings in 2016
Dwellings
• 157,000 dwellings forecast for 2036.
• 55% of residents live in medium or high density dwellings
• 50% of residents were born overseas
Diversity
• 52% speak a language other than English at home
• 11% Mandarin
• 7% Cantonese
• 5% Korean
• 0.7% of residents identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
• 37% of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher
Education &
• 93% employment rate
employment
• 27% of residents also work within the LGA
• Median household income = $1755 per week (NSW = $1481)
in 2016.
• 19% of households are ‘low income’, earning less than
Vulnerable
$750 per week
communities
• 13% of households are in housing stress
• 4% of people require assistance with daily living activities
• 10% of residents do not speak English well or at all.
13Part One - Background
OUR PLACE
• The City of Parramatta covers 84 km2 at the centre of
Location
metropolitan Sydney, 24km west of Sydney CBD
• Home to the Darug peoples for more than 60,000 years
Connection
• Australia’s oldest inland European settlement
• Parramatta Park is a World Heritage Listed site
Heritage
• More than 750 significant archaeological sites
• More than 50 State significant heritage sites
• 65 km of natural waterways
Environment
• 859 ha of parks, reserves and sportsgrounds
• 461 ha of bushland
• 33% tree canopy cover
• 600 unique species of flora and 230 unique species of fauna
• More than 16 days per year over 35°C
Climate
• 2.3 million people live within a 45-minute commute to the
Economy
Parramatta CBD
• Gross Regional Product = $25 million in 2016
• 186,000 people work in the City of Parramatta
• 11,500 jobs created in the last 5 years (to June 2017)
• More than 23,000 businesses call Parramatta home
• Zero vacancy rate in Parramatta’s A-grade premium
commercial office buildings
Source: City of Parramatta Community
Strategic Plan 2018-2038
14Crime Prevention Plan
Part Two - Crime Profile
Parramatta Local Government Area
Crime rates across New South Wales 2.1 Crime Statistics sexual assaults and robbery have
for many offences have fallen to their low reporting rates, shifts in policing
Parramatta Local
lowest levels in forty years. Rates of policy for example drug and drink
robbery are back to where they were Government Area 2013-2018 driving offences detections rather
in the 1970s and the rates of home The N.S.W. Bureau of Crime Statistics than reported crimes and areas with
burglary and motor vehicle theft are and Research (BOCSAR) is a statistical high visitor populations compared
the lowest they’ve been since records and research agency within the to residential populations like City of
began in the early 1970s. Robbery, N.S.W. Department of Justice which Sydney Local Government Area.5
break and enter, car theft, stealing and amongst other functions develops and
fraud have all recorded significant falls. The following tables are taken from
maintains statistical databases on the BOCSAR website which details
Other crimes such as murder, domestic crime and criminal justice in N.S.W. The
violence related assault and sexual key crimes taking place per Local
data comes from the Computerised Government Area including ranking
assault remained stable. Operational Policing System (COPS), against other LGAs across N.S.W.6
The Parramatta Local Government an operational database used by
Area (LGA) like all Councils Parramatta N.S.W. Police to record information Table One demonstrates the total
experiences some level of criminal relevant to all victims, offenders and number of incidents for the sixteen
activity but like the rest of Sydney is incidents that require police action. major crimes occurring in the
generally a safe place. The point is that Parramatta Local Government Area
It should be noted that the COPS between January 2013 and December
although there have been increases system only records reported crime
in certain types of crime, these 2017.
or crimes detected by the police and
increases are attributable to a range of that some crimes are by their nature
interwoven factors not just some vague more commonly reported than others.
idea that “things are getting worse” For example according to the National
or that people are becoming “more Crime Victimisation Survey 2017-2018
dangerous.” conducted by the Australian Bureau of
Police report that different crimes Statistics more than half the victims of
occur across the whole Local robbery and physical assault reported
Government Area emphasising the crime. Rates of reporting by people
the often random nature and threatened by assault were also
unpredictability of criminal activity. All underreported.4
five Police Area Commands consulted Public willingness to report crime
for this crime profile reported that however is just one extraneous
they were generally very satisfied with factor which can affect trends in
current low levels of crime in the LGA recorded crime. For this reason crime
and broader region and stated that the statistics are difficult to interpret
area was generally very safe although as they measure a range of shifting
there is always the need to remain factors including public willingness to
vigilant. report crime - for example assaults,
15Part Two - Crime Profile
Table One Parramatta LGA Crime Rates for the 16 most common Crimes 2013-2018
Total No. of Incidents 2017 LGA Ranking
Offence 2 year trend 5 year trend
Jan 2013 – Dec 2017 (of 120)
Murder 6 NC NC NC
DV Assault 3,385 Stable Stable 81
Non DV Assault 4,117 Stable -3.4% 71
Sexual Assault 544 Stable +12.3% 86
Robbery no weapon 450 Stable -17.5% 14
Robbery firearm 60 NC NC NC
Robbery other weapon 199 Stable -21.2% NC
Break and enter dwelling 5,463 Stable -8.4% 48
Break and enter non-dwelling 1,452 Stable -9.3% 88
Motor Vehicle theft 1,672 Stable -3.7% 73
Steal from motor vehicle 6,288 +22.9% Stable 32
Steal from retail store 3,818 +26.2% Stable 20
Steal dwelling 3,000 Stable Stable 69
Steal from person 1,316 Stable -9.9% 5
Fraud 10,440 Stable Stable 6
Malicious damage 7,621 Stable -5.5 84
Table One above indicates that:
• most crimes in the Parramatta LGA are decreasing or stable over the previous five years
• Parramatta ranks in the top twenty local government areas in N.S.W. for the crimes of robbery, steal from retail store,
steal from person and fraud.
Table Two - Parramatta NSW Local Government Area Crime rankings for the 13 most
common crimes 2013 -2017 (n=120) (Parramatta LGA formed May 2016)
Offence 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 5 year trend
Non-DV Assault 66 70 63 74 71 Stable
Assault – DV 78 79 84 84 81 Stable
Sexual offences 98 84 89 91 86 Stable
Robbery 6 4 12 17 14 Down 13.5%
Break and enter (dwelling) 36 35 46 57 48 Down 7.8%
Break and enter (non-dwelling) 86 89 81 93 88 Down 7.6%
Motor vehicle theft 61 58 76 78 73 Down 2.9%
Steal from motor vehicle 57 50 39 57 32 Stable
Steal from retail store 14 22 36 37 20 Up 4.9%
Steal from dwelling 87 64 77 73 69 Down 4.6%
Steal from person 4 6 7 8 5 Down 6.8%
Fraud 6 5 5 5 6 Down 4.5%
Malicious damage 85 83 79 90 84 Down 4.1%
Table Two above indicates that over the previous five years the Parramatta LGA has ranked in the top ten or twenty LGAs in
N.S.W. for the offences of:
• Steal from person • Steal from retail store and
• Fraud • Robbery
16Crime Prevention Plan
Figure
Table Three – Robbery,
Three - Recorded population
criminal incidents vs number
of Robbery; number, ofinincidents.
rate and rank Local
Government Areas within the Central Western Sydney Statistical Subdivision
240000 250
217
235000
200
230000 181
Number of incidences of robbery
Population of Parramatta LGA
225000
150
220000 114
104
93 100
215000
210000
50
205000
214818 221568 228248 234968 234968
200000 0
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Population Number of incidents
Table Three above indicates that:
• despite the population increases in the LGA
the number of robbery offences has been
trending down by over 50% since 2013.
• Police report that robbery offences occur
randomly in different areas of the LGA and
usually once an offender is apprehended the
number of offences drops away.
17Part Two - Crime Profile
Table Four Recorded criminal incidents of Steal from Retail Store; number, rate and rank in
Figure 4 – Steal
Local Government Areasfrom retail
within the store,
Central population
Western vsSubdivision.
Sydney Statistical number of
incidents.
240000 1000
873 900
Number of incidences of steal from retail store
235000 845
800
230000
Population of Parramatta LGA
714
694 692
700
225000
600
220000 500
400
215000
300
210000
200
205000
100
214818 221568 228248 234968 234968
200000 0
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Population Number of incidents
Document name
Table Four indicates that: • However, local government can provide information
• Steal from retail store rates have fluctuated over the to retailers about effective crime prevention and
five years with the most recent year of 2017 showing an encourage retail operators to implement strategies that
increase. are supported by evidence.
• Police report that as Sydney’s second CBD Parramatta • Similarly, both local government and central agencies
has a high number of retail stores including the can develop resources such as security audit tools and
Westfield Shopping Centre which places the area at signage and can support training for retail store staff
greater risk for this type of offence. as part of an awareness campaign, help to inform
• While crime rates have been falling in general access control measures and build capacity to prevent
shoplifting offences were up more than 6% in 2015-2016. shoplifting and other offences in retail stores. 8
• Supermarket theft comprised nearly 60% of these
offences
• 24% of items were stolen from department stores
with alcohol, clothing and cosmetics being the most
commonly taken items.
• Since these items are classed as high end products
rather than everyday purchases such as groceries, it is
unlikely that the rise in shoplifting relates to affordability
or cost of living pressures.7
• Research reveals that most retail theft reduction
and prevention strategies are implemented by retail
management.
18Crime Prevention Plan
Table Five Recorded criminal incidents of Steal from Person; number, rate and rank in Local
Figure five
Government - Steal
Areas from
within the person,
Central population
Western Sydney Statistical vs number of
Subdivision.
incidents.
240000 400
235000 335 350
Number of incidences of steal from person
230000 300
Population of Parramatta LGA
285
251
225000 250
224 221
220000 200
215000 150
210000 100
205000 50
214818 221568 228248 234968 234968
200000 0
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Population Number of incidents
Document name
Table Five indicates that: • Strategies for reducing and preventing steal from person
• in 2017 Parramatta was ranked 5th in N.S.W. for the offences include public awareness campaigns involved
offence of steal from person although there is a project staff working with retail store management to
decreasing trend for number of offences. identify risk factors for bag theft such as security audits
• Police report that this offence usually relates to people and providing potential victims with information about
leaving valuable items unattended such as lap tops and how they could avoid theft.
phones in public places such as train stations, libraries • Designing areas to reduce risks of personal theft
and food halls. through design include improving sightlines,
• The ABS (2011: 55) define stealing from person as: the encouraging pedestrian movement and activity in
taking of money, personal goods or personal information underused space along with educating the public about
from the immediate possession or control of a person without how to better protect their belongings.10
the use of force, threat of force or violence or putting the
victim in fear.9
• Stealing from person encompasses a range of activities,
such as bag snatching and pickpocketing, and may be
perpetrated using different techniques.
• Busy locations in general appear to attract
higher rates of theft from person offences.
This has been attributed to the ability of
offenders to ‘blend’ into the crowd’, and
reduced surveillance opportunities.
19Part Two - Crime Profile
Table Six Recorded criminal incidents of Fraud; number, rate and rank in Local Government
Areas within the Central Western Sydney Statistical Subdivision
Figure Six – fraud, population compared to number of incidences
240000 2200
235000
2141 2150
Number of incidences of steal from person
230000 2118
Population of Parramatta LGA
2098
2100
225000 2076
220000 2050
2007
215000
2000
210000
1950
205000
214818 221568 228248 234968 234968
200000 1900
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Population Number if incidents
Document name
Table Six indicates that:
• Parramatta has ranked in the top six Councils across
N.S.W. for fraud offences over the previous five years.
• Police report that these offences occur on-line through
cybercrime and the theft of mail to commit credit card
fraud or to assume another person’s identity.
• Fraud offences including cybercrime are increasing as
banking transactions increasing take place on-line.
• The stealing of credit cards and “tap and go”
technology has made it relatively easy for offenders to
make multiple transactions of smaller amounts at retail
outlets, supermarkets and bottle shops often before the
card owner is aware the card is missing.
• Once the victim informs the bank the cards are
cancelled but the offence is rarely reported to N.S.W.
with Police suggesting the crime figures listed may be
conservative figures.
• Credit cards, drivers licences and other mail which
details personal information is also increasingly
common for offenders to commit identity fraud.
20Crime Prevention Plan
Table Seven Recorded criminal incidents of Non-Domestic-related Assault 2017-2018 in
Parramatta CBD 2150 and selected areas
State or Suburb / Incidents per Incidents Weekend Incidents Weekend
2 Year Trend
Postcode 100,000 per 100,000 Night per 100,000
N.S.W. 414.7 176.5 121.7 Stable
Parramatta / 2150 2,150 357.7 230 Stable
Sydney / 2000 4,617.2 2,532 2,121.8 Stable
Liverpool / 2170 432.4 162.9 98.3 Stable
Penrith / 2750 745.4 283.3 207.1 Stable
Newtown / 2042 1448 691.9 553.5 Stable
Table Seven above compares the Parramatta CBD (and Harris Park) areas with four other Councils spread throughout the
metropolitan area for incidents of non-domestic assault including at weekends and at night and indicates that all trends in
all areas are stable.
Table Eight Recorded criminal incidents of Non-Domestic-related Assault Alcohol-related
2017-2018 in Parramatta CBD 2150 and selected areas
State or Suburb / Incidents per Incidents Weekend Incidents Weekend
2 Year Trend
Postcode 100,000 per 100,000 Night per 100,000
N.S.W. 126.3 85.6 77.4 Stable
Parramatta / 2150 212.2 151.6 127.3 Stable
Sydney / 2000 2331.9 2,532 1561.3 Stable
Liverpool / 2170 162.9 41 37.3 Stable
Penrith / 2750 215.8 143.9 135.1 Stable
Newtown / 2042 607.9 459.6 420.1 Stable
Table Eight compares criminal incidents for non-domestic-related alcohol assault in the Parramatta CBD (and Harris Park) in
comparison to four other metropolitan areas indicating that all trends are stable.
Table Nine Recorded criminal incidents of Malicious damage 2017-2018 in Parramatta CBD
2150 and selected areas
State or Suburb / Incidents per Incidents Weekend Incidents Weekend
2 Year Trend
Postcode 100,000 per 100,000 Night per 100,000
N.S.W. 765.8 313.8 200.5 Stable
Parramatta / 2150 1,267.2 421.4 275.9 Stable
Sydney / 2000 1,995 897.4 663.9 Stable
Liverpool / 2170 687.2 277.6 167.5 Stable
Penrith / 2750 1,244.6 503.5 379.3 Stable
Newtown / 2042 1,191 593 425 Stable
Table Nine indicates that rates of malicious damage in the Parramatta CBD (and Harris Park) are stable following similar
trends in four other metropolitan areas including at weekends at night.
21Part Two - Crime Profile
2.2 Crime trends in New An improving economy and a heroin invariably return to the same address
drought in the early 2000s which to steal additional documentation.
South Wales
drove users with addiction issues into Once the thief has accumulated the
According to BOCSAR N.S.W. is treatment programs have had an necessary one hundred points to
currently experiencing lowest levels of impact, but another key factor is that assume another person’s identity they
property crimes such as motor vehicle there are now simply fewer young may take out a bank loan or credit
theft, break and enter, robbery, stealing men in the 14-25 age category who card in that person’s name. Often the
from cars, stealing from people for over traditionally have committed most victim only finds out they have been
thirty years. In the last twenty years violent crimes with the exception of victimised when they are contacted by
homicide rates have halved. These domestic violence. Many young men the bank in relation to non-payment of
trends are not peculiar to N.S.W. but were born during the 60s, 70s and 80s the loan / credit card account. .
reflect similar declines for the country and since this group has aged the
offending rate has declined. Young BOCSAR emphasise that while crime
as a whole.
men now more typically stay home and is generally down it is concentrated
Over the last twenty years the drink less which has also reduced male in some communities and therefore
number of incidents of break and violence. crime prevention efforts should be
enter dwelling has fallen from more concentrated in those areas.12
than 86,000 offences across N.S.W. Some crimes such as domestic
in 2007 to approximately 22,000 in violence, drug use, sexual assault and 2.3 N.S.W Police and
2017.11 The rise of cheap and effective child sexual assault have not followed Parramatta Council
home security systems such as the downward trend although this
closed circuit television which can does not mean that offending rates The Parramatta LGA sits
be streamed to a mobile phone has have increased. For example, reported predominantly within two Police Area
meant that household security has incidences of sexual assault increased Commands (PACs) namely Parramatta
been considerably improved. Moreover 59.7 percent between 2000 and 2017 and Cumberland. Smaller parts of the
the second hand goods market has as victims are increasingly coming LGA are covered by Hills, Ryde and
also shifted whereby the value of forward to report the crime while Police Auburn PACs. All PACs were consulted
once desirable household electronic are also responding more aggressively for the purposes of this crime profile.
items such as video players, televisions than in the past. All Commands reported that crime
and CD players are relatively cheap levels for the most common crimes
and easy to replace while lap top are largely at their lowest ever and
computers and mobile telephones can that the area as a whole was tracking
Mail theft leading to identity fraud
be remotely cut off if stolen. well. According to the five NSW Police
is also increasing and again is rarely
Commands which cover the area of
reported to Police. If a victim does not
Rapid advances in technology can also authority most crime that does occur
receive a driver’s license or utilities
make these items quickly redundant relates more to theft or property-
bill in the mail they can simply call
and therefore less desirable. Stolen related crime which includes offences
up and request another one. N.S.W.
goods are also increasingly harder to like steal from motor vehicle, steal
Police report that “boxers” working for
sell as items are commonly sold on-line from retail store, break and enter and
syndicates target areas with dense
on websites such as ebay and Gumtree steal from person. While the reasons
concentrations of medium-high density
meaning offenders risk being traced in for this are complicated one of the
apartments where mailboxes are
offloading the goods. The increasing contributing factors is that generally
positioned in banks along footpaths.
use of credit cards and the ensuing people have more consumer goods
Most mailboxes are cheap with poor
decrease in transactions involving cash now than ever before and therefore
quality non-master key locks which are
has meant that fewer items of value more things stolen. Increased
easily opened by the same key and
exist for a would-be burglar as overall affluence, a market in stolen goods
are easily accessible. Thieves develop
risks have increased and rewards and illicit drug dependency are also
profiles on individuals at specific
reduced. important factors.
addresses on their mobile phones and
22Crime Prevention Plan
Parramatta PAC station and bus terminal. Domestic scam and deception offences. Theft
Parramatta Police report the key violence continues to be an ongoing from cars and poorly secured storage
crimes in the Command are fraud issue for the Command. cages in basement car parks were
relating to mailbox theft whereby also reported by both commands as
documents are stolen from apartment Cumberland PAC being key issues in these environments.
settings with the intention of Cumberland Police also report higher Auburn Police also report that a sense
committing identity theft. Steal from rates of credit card and identity fraud of neighbourliness in the some of
motor vehicle is also a common relating to stealing from mailboxes the newer apartment environments
offence in the command with the in apartment dwellings. Stealing could be improved based on the fact
offence moving around in patches all from retail stores also occurs more that as more people get to know one
over the patrol area. Parramatta Police commonly in bottle shops. Other another they are more likely to look out
report that steal from person offences theft includes tools from tradespeople for each other. Domestic violence is
take place most commonly in the CBD utilities. Cumberland Police also report another crime commonly addressed by
area around Westfield and the train break and enter offences occurring the Command.
station with the most commonly stolen more commonly in apartment setting
items being mobile phones, handbags basement car parks where offenders Ryde Police report that most offences
and wallets. Steal from retail stores commit multiple steal from motor in the Command relate to property
offences are common in bottle shops vehicle offences at the one address theft and damage mostly committed
and supermarkets often by professional and / or steal bicycles and tools from by offenders travelling into the area.
shoplifters. Store design is an issue poorly secured storage cages. Domestic violence also commonly
which can lend itself to facilitating takes place across the Command.
Auburn PAC / Ryde PAC / Hills PAC Hills Police report that like the other
theft and Police also mentioned that Auburn Police and Ryde Police report
shoplifting is often unreported by Commands the most common offences
that incidents of mailbox theft and relate to property theft including break
retailers. Robbery offences tend to identity fraud are common in areas of
occur sporadically most commonly in and enter dwelling and steal from
concentrations of medium-high density motor vehicle.
the afternoons in and around the train apartments as well as other fraud
23Part Three - Existing Research Crime, Safety and Community Parramatta
Part Three - Existing Research
Crime, Safety and Community
Parramatta
3.1 Parramatta 2018 - 2038 Achieving the vision is based around these documents these have been
six long-term community goals namely: acknowledged in this plan.
Community Strategic Plan
Fair, Accessible, Green, Welcoming,
Parramatta 2038 is the long-term Thriving and Innovative. 3.2 City of Parramatta –
Community Strategic Plan for the Micromex – Benchmarking
City of Parramatta has already
City of Parramatta which links to the
prepared and commenced delivery of Sentiment Research (2016)
long-term future of Sydney. More than
several significant plans and strategies
9000 people had their say on their In 2016 Council commissioned
to guide the City’s growth and change.
vision and priorities for the City of Micromex to consult with the
The Crime Prevention Plan 2019-2023
Parramatta. It was developed based community across the LGA on a
sits under the overarching Community
on the social justice principles of benchmark community sentiment
Strategic Plan and should be
equity, access, participation and rights. research project. The project aimed to
interpreted and understood as being
The purpose of the plan is to outline gauge attitudes and feelings around
inter-related to the following Council
the community’s shared vision and establishing key sentiment benchmarks
documents and strategies in terms of
aspirations for the future, and to set for tracking purposes, identifying
policy context:
out strategies to achieve this vision issues for Council to address and
based on four key areas: Community Engagement Strategy, comparing sentiment amongst new
Cultural Plan, Disability Inclusion and existing communities and involved
Sustainable: Stewards of our built 711 telephone interviews with 600
Plan, Economic Development Plan,
and natural environment. Fostering residents and 111 business owners or
Environmental Sustainability Strategy,
vibrant neighbourhoods and places senior managers.
Reconciliation Action Plan, Socially
and development that is well balanced,
Sustainable Parramatta Framework,
connected and sustainable. Results in relation to crime and safety
Parramatta Ways Walking Strategy,
and broader community revealed that:
Liveable: Supporting all of the Public Art Policy, Parramatta City
community to succeed and live well. Centre Lanes Policy, Parramatta CBD • 68% of residents and 67% of
Champions of our community and Small Bars Policy, Work Health Safety businesses agree or strongly agree
culture. Policy, Reconciliation Action Plan, that Parramatta has a strong
Parramatta Bike Plan, Homelessness sense of community.
Productive: Drivers of the economy. Policy and Action Plan 2019-2023,
Growing local jobs by positioning Parramatta Night City Framework and • 69% of residents and 73% of
Parramatta as a global centre for Action Plan and the Street Activity businesses agree or strongly agree
businesses and investment. Policy. that the face of Parramatta is
changing for the better.
Leading: Accountable to our Many of these strategies and plans
communities. An agile, listening and include issues which both directly When asked to describe what words or
transparent and indirectly relate to actual and phrases would you use to describe how
perceived safety and which are you would like the City of Parramatta
Council working in partnership and LGA to be in 5-10 years time the top
currently underway or ongoing. Where
providing great services now and into answer was – A Safe Place.
possible some specific strategies from
the future.
24Crime Prevention Plan
When asked to describe their rating of 92% felt safe in the Parramatta CBD The framework highlighted that new
feeling proud to be part of Parramatta – due to the presence of other people development is making some young
LGA - Friendly sense of community around including security and police people feel excluded from public
ranked 2, safe place 7 and clean and and because of perceived friendly spaces in the CBD and some have
beautiful area ranked 9 all featured in people. experience of being moved on from
the top ten responses. public space. Young people also want
The major concern young people more public spaces to congregate with
3.3 Benchmark Sentiment had about safety in the CBD was the friends.
presence of “unpredictable people.”
Report, Focus Groups Report
Service providers identified issues 3.6 Community Safety
(2016) around over-policing including being
Summary Report September
moved on from Parramatta station,
In September and October 2016, 2017
generally poor relations between
three follow up focus groups were
Police and young people and the need
conducted to explore in more detail In 2017 a Community Safety Summary
for better co-ordinated approaches
some of the key findings from the Report set out to build on previous
to working together between Police,
telephone survey–specifically, how research conducted in 2013 and 2015
youth services and young people.
to help residents develop a feeling to explore community perceptions of
of belonging in the LGA, their visions safety, both during the day and night,
3.5 Socially Sustainable
for the future of the LGA, and how across the whole City of Parramatta
to address concerns regarding Parramatta Framework LGA, within the Parramatta CBD
development of the area and (2017) – Sharing the and within local neighbourhoods.
communication amongst new and opportunities of growth for The sample consisted of a total of
existing communities following the 508 residents via both online and
all
addition of eight new suburbs and the telephone interviews: Results revealed
loss of four suburbs in May of that year. In 2016 Council conducted a Social the following:
Wellbeing Survey with over 600
Key findings revealed that most CBD Crime rates - 44% believe rates of
residents and a further 764 residents
focus group participants responded crime in Parramatta CBD are average,
following public exhibition which
positively when asked to describe 21% low or falling with respondents
informed the Socially Sustainable
the Parramatta area to someone being mainly male, group/shared
Parramatta Framework (2017) a key
unfamiliar with the area with key issues households, non-ratepayers, born
strategic document outlining how
being able to access other parts of overseas, less than 2 years living in the
Council will work with the community
Sydney easily, the good facilities, the area, who speak another language at
to ensure that there is resilience,
multicultural nature of the population, home. Decreases were explained by
equality, diversity and well being for all
the varying degrees of density and the – crime prevention measures, largely
people including the most vulnerable.
opportunities and areas of interest. Policing and CCTV and the changing
Some key findings from the research
face of the area (n=65). Increases were
were:
3.4 Needs of Young People in explained by 35% believing crime is
the Parramatta CBD (2016) Many people believe diversity is high or very high – and respondents
Parramatta’s greatest strength and were largely women, people over
In 2016 a research study was that the wisdom and experiences of fifty years of age, ratepayers who
undertaken to identify the needs of many cultures comes together in the speak English, live alone and are long
teenagers and young people aged 12- city. term residents of over twenty years.
24 in the Parramatta CBD and to make Increases were explained by: Changes
recommendations on how these groups Perceived feelings of being unsafe in (n=109) Information received (n=64),
could be both better supported and the CBD were identified particularly at Media (n=47) and population increase
their contributions more recognised. night, feeling generally safe in libraries (n=33)
More than 200 young people were and neighbourhood streets and some
consulted as well as youth service concerns from some people in relation Most places in the CBD were perceived
providers with key findings being: to feeling unsafe at night around anti- as safe during the day except public
social behaviour.” toilets and car parks but still the mean
25Part Three - Existing Research Crime, Safety and Community Parramatta
score of 3.78 / 5 is relatively high. The crime rates are high to very high due relate to perceptions of safety include
safest places in the CBD at night were to the number of changes, primarily improving the vibe or atmosphere,
Westfield, Eat Street, Riverside Theatre increased densities and population, improving public transport and
and the Library with the least safe a lack of information received and improving the night life. Solutions
places being CBD Car parks, public decreased use of crime prevention included more events, more live music
toilets and amenities and Parramatta measures. in public areas, more assistance to
Park. Comparisons between 2017 and people who are homeless, more public
General findings: Improved street
2015 revealed that safety was rated as art and the installation of decorative
lighting, reporting crime, access
significantly higher / better in 2017 for lighting.
to transport and improved home
all Parramatta CBD locations during
the day. However, during the night
security measures were the top issues 3.8 Draft Parramatta Night
recommended for prevention. 7% of
safety was only viewed as significantly City Framework 2019-2023
the sample had been a victim of crime
higher in 2017 for ‘walking on local
in previous 12 months – with more In developing the Parramatta Night
footpaths’ and ‘Parramatta Park’, with
than half not reporting the matter to City Framework input and feedback
the ‘Riverside Theatres’ receiving a
Police because it was not considered was collected from 1,300 members
significantly lower rating compared to
important or nothing was stolen. 91% of the community through resident
2015
believe Police are at least somewhat interviews (n=300), visitor interviews
Neighbourhood Crime Rates - 90% effective mainly by female, non- (n=300), business surveys (n=678) and
believe crime in their neighbourhoods ratepayers, lived in area less than 2 two workshops (n=26) as well as four
is very low to average –no locations years with 83% believing Council is at night audits in Parramatta (x2), Harris
were prominent as being unsafe least somewhat effective in creating Park and Epping between 6pm and
during the day with public toilets and safer environments. The most common 1am. Consultations also took place
amenities scoring lowest but still a response to what Council could do to between Council staff, Parramatta
relatively high average of 4 out of engage better make the area safer was Police, local Liquor Accords, at the
5 while one in three felt the same more interaction and communication annual Youth Forum and information
locations were unsafe at night. with the community.. gleaned from Parramatta CBD Small
Bar Policy submissions.
CBD Crime 5 Year trend - 54% believe 3.7 Eat Street Survey of
crime in the last 5 years has remained Key findings are centred around three
Customers and Business
the same with 14% believing it is key pillars namely:
lower / decreasing. The most common Owners 2018 1. Creating the right conditions to
responses to the stable or decreasing enable the CBD to become a true
In 2018 Council undertook research
rates of crime were increased crime 24 hour centre
in order to gain an understanding of
prevention measures and the changes 2. Promote local centres as late-night
attitudes and perceptions of customers
going on in the area relating to density destinations that meet the needs
and business owners as a means
and population increase. 32% believe of our communities and
of maintaining and enhancing Eat
crime in the CBD is increasing with the 3. Provide our businesses and our
Street as Parramatta’s prime dining
most common response to perceived community with the capacity to be
precinct. The total sample was 124
increases in crime being changes to able to thrive in our city at night.
which consisted of 102 interviews
the area and a lack of information
with customers or consumers and 24
received.
interviews with business owners. More
Neighbourhood Crime 5 Year trend than half the sample and almost all
- 80% believe crime rates have business owners felt that the area
remained the same or decreased could be improved by combating
in neighbourhoods with the most alcohol-related crime and anti-social
common responses being that there behaviour with females twice as
was more sense of community in family likely as males to report this issue as
friendly neighbourhoods. 20% believe a concern. Other issues raised which
26Crime Prevention Plan
The Framework includes a six focus areas
in relation to planning and regulation,
marketing and promotion, infrastructure,
business and cultural development,
community safety and engagement and
research and advocacy. Six strategic goals
underpin the Framework accompanied
by more than 60 actions all of which
relate either directly or indirectly to crime
prevention in aiming for a night city that
is:
1. Safe, well designed and accessible
2. Thriving with diverse businesses and
offerings
3. Celebrates our unique identity and
diverse community
4. Fosters creativity, live music and
events
5. Responds proactively to challenges
and change
6. A leading night city.
3.9 Our City My Life Survey
2019
Additional Social Well-being research was
conducted in 2019 as part of Council’s
broader Social Sustainability Framework
which consisted of 505 telephone
interviews. Some key findings were:
On separate questions ‘I feel welcome
living in our city’ generated the second
highest agreement score, ‘Feeling part of
your community’ scored the second lowest
satisfaction score – this suggests that
community connectedness is more than
just feeling welcome.
Low income earners/public housing
occupants are more likely to have higher
unemployment rates, lower job satisfaction
and security, less likely to be able to
provide basic needs, less housing security,
less likely to access emergency funds,
more likely to run out of food and are less
involved in the community.
27Part Four Community Consultation – Crime Prevention Plan 2019-2023
Part Four Community
Consultation –Crime Prevention
Plan 2019-2023
In order to inform this Crime Prevention different neighbourhood situations, the area was also raised as a concern.
Plan more specific information was an average 67% felt safe. Across two Social housing tenants were least likely
sought from the community involving a different CBD situations an average to feel safe in the CBD in the day and
thorough research and early 45% felt safe. night (57%) compared to the average
consultation. The process involved (72%).
asking residents across the LGA how 4.1 Parramatta CBD Safety
safe they felt both in their 4.2 Neighbourhood / Local
One in twenty feel unsafe in the CBD
neighbourhoods and in the CBD, the
during the day but overall more people
Area Safety
importance of attachment to
feel unsafe than safe in the CBD after There is a strong relationship between
neighbours and perceptions of safety
dark. Residents in younger age groups how safe people feel in their local
and how a sense of attachment differs
generally feel safer in the CBD than area and their level of community
between people who feel safe or
older age groups however they take attachment. State of repair of their
unsafe, issues related to young people
measures to ensure their safety such local area, satisfaction with their level
identified in previous research, specific
as travelling in groups, driving cars and of involvement in the community
questions relating to information
avoiding public transport and staying and having a sense of attachment
collated in the crime profile in relation
in busier locations such as Church to other people in the area were
to mail and basement car park theft
Street. found to be the best indicators of
and to identify how Council could
improve how safe residents feel both in feeling safe. Most people feel safe
The transport interchange area in
their neighbourhoods and in the CBD. in their neighbourhoods during
Parramatta was the most frequently
the day however 28% of people
mentioned area that people avoid
The methodology involved an on-line reported feeling unsafe walking
after dark (5%) as it was perceived as
survey completed by 489 members alone in their neighbourhood at
a place for anti-social behaviour and
of the Our City Your Say Panel, Face to night while 32% reported feeling
harassment. While this may detract
Face interviews in Telopea (n=75) and safe. Suburbs where people are most
from the experience of travelling
Constitution Hill (n=75), ten focus likely to feel unsafe walking alone in
to Parramatta it is not clear if this
groups (two per ward) covering feelings the neighbourhood after dark are
impacts on frequency of visitation.
of safety in local neighbourhoods and Dundas / Telopea / Oatlands and
Car parks were also mentioned as
the CBD (n=83) two focus groups with North Rocks / Parramatta while
unsafe locations due to a lack of
young people (aged 16-21) and (21-26) Newington / Wentworth Point, Epping
people around and past experience of
(n=17) and two focus groups with and Carlingford had the highest
harassment and intimidation.
residents of Wentworth Point (n=12) for percentage of people feeling safe.
a total sample of 751. People who spent more time in
The research indicated that tenancy
Parramatta in the evening generally
The findings revealed: situations are important to perceptions
felt safer on the whole. Some concerns
of safety with 21% of people in social
Residents rated how safe they feel about safety related to groups of men
housing feeling unsafe at home during
in a variety of situations across their being seen to be intimidating as well
the day compared to just 3% overall
neighbourhoods and the CBD in as quiet streets that are not well lit
and 39% feeling unsafe at home at
the day and in the night. Across six with few people around. Encountering
night compared to 8% overall. Also
people who are homeless or loitering in
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