N S COMMUNITY SAFETY PLAN 2014-2017 C - North Sydney …...COMMUNITY SAFETY PLAN 2014-2017 Break & Enter -Dwelling 5% Assault -Non-Domestic Violence Related 4% Harrassment / Threatening

COMMUNITY SAFETY PLAN 2014-2017 2014

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NORTH

SYDNEY

COUNCIL

COMMUNITY SAFETY PLAN 2014-2017


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Image on Front Page: Image supplied by wikiHow (wikihow.com/Help-Your-Community-Be-A-Safer-

One), a wiki building the world’s largest how to manual.

Contact Details

Social Planner - Community Development

North Sydney Council, PO Box 12, North Sydney, NSW 2059

Web Address: www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au

Email Address: [email protected]

Phone: (02) 9936 8193


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Table of Contents

1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 4

1.1 What is community safety? .................................................................................................... 4

1.2 What are the aims of the Plan? .............................................................................................. 4

1.3 How was the Plan developed? ................................................................................................ 5

2. Crime Profile ........................................................................................................................ 6

2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 6

2.2 Overview ................................................................................................................................. 6

2.3 Community Perception of Crime .......................................................................................... 11

3. Crime Prevention Action Plan ............................................................................................. 13

3.1 Priority Areas for Action ........................................................................................................ 13

3.2 Patterns of Assault – non domestic violence in North Sydney ............................................. 13

3.2.1 Historical Trend ............................................................................................................. 13

3.2.2 Spatial Distribution........................................................................................................ 14

3.2.3 Temporal Distribution ................................................................................................... 15

3.2.4 Action Plan – Assault Non Domestic Violence Related ................................................. 17

3.3 Patterns of Break and Enter Dwelling in North Sydney ........................................................ 21


3.3.2 Spatial Distribution (2012-13) ....................................................................................... 21


3.4 Patterns of Steal from Dwelling in North Sydney ................................................................. 23


3.4.2 Spatial Distribution........................................................................................................ 23


3.4.4 Action Plan – Break & Enter / Steal from Dwelling ....................................................... 25

4. Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 27


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1. Introduction

1.1 What is community safety?

Community safety refers to the ability of people to go about their daily lives without fear for their

own safety or the safety of others (where safety refers to being free from danger, risk or harm). It is

based on a person’s perception rather than a detailed analysis of the available facts and often, there

is a marked difference between the two. It is a collective term for an individual feeling which can

remain constant for years yet change in an instant. It is possible for two neighbours to have

completely different perceptions on community safety as their views are shaped by a multitude of

factors including: age; gender; ethnicity; wealth; residential address; and more obviously, previous

experience of crime, amongst a number of other factors. Given these characteristics, it is clear to see

that community safety is a complex phenomenon.

Community safety’s multi-dimensional nature is what drives this complexity. In simple terms,

anything that has the potential to cause danger, risk or harm has the capacity to impact community

safety. Thus, a number of issues present themselves as possible risk factors to be managed,

including, amongst others: criminal activity; road safety; pedestrian safety; work safety; water

safety; fire safety; child-protection; safety in sports; emergency planning; and a multitude of health

related risks.

Clearly, it is beyond the scope of a single plan to attempt to address all of these topics. Building a

community health profile and developing actions to address common health conditions is a strategy

in itself. Similarly, Council already has a well established road safety program, developed in

partnership with Roads and Maritime Services to identify and tackle the common causes of road

crashes involving drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

Instead, this Plan focuses on the one area that research suggests has the greatest impact on

community safety: crime and crime prevention. It should be noted that this represents a departure

from the Council’s previous Community Safety Plan which followed a holistic approach. The

previous plan contained 56 strategies covering 11 different topic areas ranging from health and

wellbeing to road safety to work health and safety. A review of that plan concludes that it was overly

ambitious given the available resources and consequently, a significant number of the strategies

have not been implemented. In preparing this latest version of Council’s Plan, consideration has also

been given to advice received from the NSW Department of Police and Justice (the lead agency in

addressing community safety and crime prevention). Their specific advice to local government is to

focus on one or two priority crimes. In other words, to focus resources where they have the greatest

impact. Funding is available from the Department for Council’s who follow these guidelines and have

their Plan endorsed as a Safer Community Compact by the Department.

1.2 What are the aims of the Plan?

The objectives of this Plan are to:

� Develop a crime profile which clearly identifies the type and nature of crimes affecting the

area.


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� Develop an evidence based action plan to reduce the incidence and impact of the highest

priority crime(s).

Maintaining a safe community is important because crime and the fear of crime can have a

devastating impact on individuals, households, businesses and communites. Some of the more

common effects are listed below:

• Physical: from minor cuts and bruises through to permanent incapacity;

• Psychological: including fear, anger, depression often resulting in sleeplessness, anxiety and

post-traumatic stress disorder;

• Social: involving lifestyle changes, including moving or not visiting a place;

• Financial: including direct loss (property stolen or damaged) and indirect loss (time off work,

loss of earnings);

• Guilt: which may feed fear and/or anger; and

• Loss of trust/faith in society: particularly in the local community, social group or place

where the offence took place.

These effects are not only felt by the victim but also by their families, friends, colleagues, customers

and the local community.

Fortunately, North Sydney is a relatively safe place to live and the vast majority of residents feel

safe. The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) publishes crime data which allows

comparisons to be made between NSW councils. North Sydney ranks in the lowest (safest) half of all

NSW councils (metropolitan, regional and rural) in 19 of the 27 crime categories. This, in large part,

helps explain the 86% of residents who reported they were quite satisfied with feeling safe in North

Sydney in the 2013 customer satisfaction survey. These results are explored in more detail in section

2.3 of the Plan: Community Perception of Crime.

1.3 How was the Plan developed?

The Community Safety Plan is based on the findings of a literature review of contemporary

community safety practices and was developed in accordance with the Crime Prevention Strategy

Guidelines from the NSW Department of Police and Justice.

The Plan was developed in 3 stages:

• Review of current literature (including previous plans, other Council’s plans, and academic

literature on community safety, crime prevention, the impact of crime, and community

health and the social determinants of health);

• Development of a crime profile using crime data from BOCSAR and consultation with the

NSW Police Harbourside Local Area Command;

• Consultation with stakeholders including: residents; Harbourside Local Area Command,

Council’s Access and Community Safety Reference Group; Local Government Community

Safety and Crime Prevention Network; and the Lower North Shore Domestic Violence

Network.


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2. Crime Profile

2.1 Introduction

A crime profile provides an overview of the types of crime affecting the North Sydney local

government area. From this overview it is possible to identify and target the priority crimes which

are the main focus of this Plan. Crime statistics are currently published through the Bureau of Crime

Statistics and Research (www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au).

2.2 Overview

The graphs shown in this section help explain the nature of crime in North Sydney. They are based

on the latest available data from BOCSAR which is for 2013. The graphs are largely self-explanatory

and so there is no commentary drawing attention to the salient points. The local government

ranking is based on a rate per 100,000 population which allows different sized councils to be

compared. Councils are ranked from high relative crime rates (number 1) to low (number 140).

Councils with too few incidents are not ranked.

Cautionary Note – Use of Crime Data

Crime data comes from criminal incidents reported to the police and recorded on the

Computerised Operational Policing System (COPS). These statistics do not accurately reflect the

actual level of crime because not all crimes are reported. The statistics are also affected by a

number of other factors, including:

� the propensity for some crimes to be reported more than others (eg break and enter

dwelling is more likely to be reported than graffiti (malicious damage);

� police operations which can increase the detection rate of crimes (eg drink driving);

� the method of recording incidents whereby one offender can commit several offences

at the same time (eg assault, offensive language and resisting arrest); and

� the accuracy of reporting and recording the location of the incident (used to produce

hotspot maps).

Consequently, crime data is more useful for monitoring trends and patterns over time versus

predicting the overall level of crime.

Incidents are categorised according to when they are reported, not when they took place.


Break & Enter - Dwelling

5%

Assault - Non-Domestic

Violence Related

4%

Harrassment / Threatening

Behaviour

4%

Steal From Dwelling

4%

Breach Bail Conditions

3%

Assault - Domestic

Violence Related

3%

Break & Enter Non-

Dwelling

3%

Possession and/or Use

of Cannabis

3%

Steal From Retail Store

2%

Offensive

Conduct

2%

Steal From Person

1%

Resist or Hinder Officer

1%

Motor Vehicle Theft

1%

Prohibited and Regulated

Weapons Offences

1% Sexual Offences

1%

Breach Apprehended Violence

2014

Transport Regulatory

Offences

13%

Fraud

13%

Malicious Damage to Property

11%

Liquor Offences

7%Steal From

Motor

Vehicle

7%

Other Theft

6%Dwelling

Sexual Offences

Breach Apprehended Violence

Order

1% Receiving or Handling

Stolen Goods

1%

Offensive Language

1% Trespass

1%

Arson

0%

Reported Crime in North Sydney LGA in 2013

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Robbery

1%

Reported Crime in North Sydney LGA in 2013


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0

200

400

600

800

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Inci

de

nts

Liquour Offences - 5 Yr Trend

0

200

400

600

800

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Inci

de

nts

Malicious Damage to Property -

5 Yr Trend

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Inci

de

nts

Fraud - 5 Yr Trend

0

200

400

600

800

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Inci

de

nts

Transport Regulatory Offences -

5 Yr Trend

7

22

25

29

30

46

47

50

51

57

58

86

89

115

129

132

134

161

178

191

211

285

298

318

494

568

582

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

Arson

Robbery

Trespass

Offensive Language

Receiving or Handling Stolen Goods

Breach Apprehended Violence Order

Sexual Offences

Prohibited and Regulated Weapons Offences

Motor Vehicle Theft

Resist or Hinder Officer

Steal From Person

Offensive Conduct


Possession and/or Use of Cannabis

Break & Enter Non-Dwelling

Assault - Domestic Violence Related


Steal From Dwelling

Harrassment / Threatening Behaviour

Assault - Non-Domestic Violence Related


Other Theft

Steal From Motor Vehicle

Liquor Offences


Fraud

Transport Regulatory Offences

Number of Reported Incidents in 2013


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138

135

129

118

116

115

112

102

101

100

96

95

91

85

85

84

81

80

75

63

58

51

48

24

22

17

13

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160

Arson

Trespass

Sexual Offences

Breach Apprehended Violence Order

Prohibited & Regulated Weapons Offenses

Assault - Domestic Violence Related

Motor Vehicle Theft


Harrassment, Threatening Behaviour & Nuisance

Assault - Non-Domestic Violence Related

Steal From Dwelling

Possession/Use of Cannabis



Steal From Motor Vehicle


Receiving or Handling Stolen Goods

Break & Enter - Non-Dwelling

Offensive Language

Resist / Hinder Officer

Other Theft

Offensive Conduct

Robbery

Transport Regulatory Offences

Steal From Person

Liquor Offences

Fraud

Local Government Area Ranking in 2013

Outdoor/public

place

39%

Residential

29%

Retail/wholesale

9%

Public transport

7%

Carpark

7%

Licensed premises

5%

Office

4%

Predominant Crime Locations in 2013

COMMUNITY SAFETY PLAN 2014

Assault - Domestic Violence

Assault - Non-Domestic Violence

Break and Enter Dwelling

Break and Enter Non-

Motor Vehicle theft

Steal from Motor Vehicle

Steal from Reatil Store

Steal from Person

Malicious damage to Property

Alcohol Related Offences (%)

83%

17%

Gender of Offenders - 2013


0 20 40 60 80 100

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence

Robbery

Break and Enter Dwelling

Dwelling

Motor Vehicle theft

Steal from Motor Vehicle

Steal from Reatil Store

Steal from Person

Malicious damage to Property

Alcohol Related Offences (%) - 2013

Not Alcohol Related

Alcohol Related

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0-17 18-29 30-39 40+ Yrs

Male Victims -

2013

Male

Female0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0-17 18-29 30-39 40+ Yrs

Female Victims -

2014

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2013

Not Alcohol Related

Alcohol Related

2013

Assault - Domestic

Violence

Assault - Non-

Domestic Violence

Robbery

Steal from Person

- 2013

Assault - Domestic

Violence

Assault - Non-

Domestic Violence

Steal from Person


2.3 Community Perception of Crime

As stated in the introduction, results from the 2013 customer satisfaction survey showed 86% of

residents were satisfied with feeling safe in North Sydney. This is similar to the

survey of 89%. The concept of community safety has been

were first surveyed on the issue in 2004

From 6 February to 1 March 2013, residents were invited to complete a community safety survey.

Fifty (50) surveys were completed.

Notwithstanding the predisposition of residents who are concerned about community safety to

complete a survey on the topic, the fact that over 50% of respondents were concerned about

(with 1 in 4 being very concerned) highlights the important role

residents. Fortunately, the majority of respondents felt that both the local government area

(average score 6.4), and their suburb (average score 6.5), were

sample size, it is not possible to compare perceptions of safety across suburbs.

5

0

5

0

5

10

15

20

25

How Safe Do You Think The LGA Is?

27.5

7.5

12.5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

How concerned are you about community safety?


Community Perception of Crime


residents were satisfied with feeling safe in North Sydney. This is similar to the figure from the 2010

The concept of community safety has been an important issue to residents since they

were first surveyed on the issue in 2004, when 93% of residents valued it as being important.


Fifty (50) surveys were completed. The results are shown below.


, the fact that over 50% of respondents were concerned about

(with 1 in 4 being very concerned) highlights the important role this issue plays in the lives of

Fortunately, the majority of respondents felt that both the local government area

(average score 6.4), and their suburb (average score 6.5), were relatively safe. Due to the small

sample size, it is not possible to compare perceptions of safety across suburbs.

5

12.5

22.5

17.5 17.5

10

5

How Safe Do You Think The LGA Is?

7.5

17.5

7.5

15

02.5 2.5

How concerned are you about community safety?

2014

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figure from the 2010

an important issue to residents since they

when 93% of residents valued it as being important.



, the fact that over 50% of respondents were concerned about safety

plays in the lives of

Fortunately, the majority of respondents felt that both the local government area

Due to the small

%

%


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Despite the majority of respondents reporting they felt the local government area was relatively

safe, 70% were able to name specific places which they felt were unsafe. The most common places

related to:

� Night-time safety (after 7.30pm): North Sydney CBD; licensed premises; parks; and North

Sydney train station;

� Localised break and enters, theft and graffiti tagging;

� Blues Point Reserve on weekends (anti-social behaviour);

� Train lines (malicious damage); and

� Unlit laneways.

5

0

7.55

1012.5

25

17.5

12.5

5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

How Safe Do You Think Your Suburb Is?

%


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3. Crime Prevention Action Plan

3.1 Priority Areas for Action

Situation prevention measures which reduce the opportunity for crime to take place and increase

the risk of being caught are proven to be the most effective crime prevention strategies. Council

does not have the resources required to tackle all crimes. Therefore, in accordance with the

Attorney General’s Department’s guidelines, this plan focuses on the highest priority crimes. The

highest priority crimes have been determined by analysing a number of factors, including: number of

incidents; LGA ranking; recent trends; and Council’s ability to impact the crime. This last point is

important to ensure Council uses its resources wisely. For example, fraud accounts for 13% of all

crime (equal highest) and is North Sydney’s worst local government area ranking (13th). However,

this is largely due to the high concentration of businesses in the central business district, and their

fraud reporting practices, which Council has limited ability to influence.

After careful consideration, the following priority crimes have been identified:

• Assault – non domestic violence

• Steal from Dwelling & Break & Enter – Dwelling

These crimes are explored in further detail below.

3.2 Patterns of Assault – non domestic violence in North Sydney

Assault is defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics as: “Direct (and immediate/confrontational)

infliction of force, injury or violence upon a person or persons or the direct (and

immediate/confrontational) threat of force, injury or violence where there is an apprehension that

the threat could be enacted.”

Assault can be flagged by police as being domestic violence related or alcohol related. Includes the

police incident categories of actual bodily harm, common assault, grievous bodily harm (including

malicious wounding), shoot with intent other than to murder, assault police officer and spike

drink/food”.

3.2.1 Historical Trend

The incidence of assault non-domestic violence over the last five years is shown below, along with

the monthly trend for the last two years.


Assault non d.v. related – 5 Year

Source: BOCSAR

3.2.2 Spatial Distribution

Areas with a high crime density relative to concentrations across NSW are considered to be

hotspots. The hotspot map for assault non domestic violence related

incidents in Crows Nest, North Sydney cbd and Kirribilli/Milsons Point

Assault non domestic violence Hotspot Map

Source: BOCSAR

242 235220

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

2009 2010 2011 2012


5 Year Trend Assault non d.v. related – 2 Year Trend

reas with a high crime density relative to concentrations across NSW are considered to be

assault non domestic violence related shows a concentration of

incidents in Crows Nest, North Sydney cbd and Kirribilli/Milsons Point:

Hotspot Map (2012-3)

212191

2012 2013

2014

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2 Year Trend

reas with a high crime density relative to concentrations across NSW are considered to be

concentration of


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3.2.3 Temporal Distribution

The temporal pattern of assault non domestic violence related across months, days and times is

shown in the two graphs below. There is a clear peak in January but no other clearly discernible

pattern. Contributing factors to the January peak are likely to include the warmer summer months

and people being on holiday over the Christmas/New Year period but without the distraction of the

traditional festivities at the start of this period.

Assaults non domestic violence related by Month (2013)

There is however evidence of a clear pattern of non domestic violence assaults taking place on

Friday and Saturday nights between the hours of 6.00pm and 6.00am. This data, when analysed with

the hotspot map and the pie chart below which shows the type of premise where assaults are taking

place, appears to demonstrate a close correlation between the large numbers of patrons visiting

licensed premises on Friday and Saturday nights and the incidence of non domestic violence assaults

within and outside those venues.

Day and Time of Assault non domestic violence related (2013)

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

% of Assaults non d.v related by Month - 2013

%

0123456789

10

Mo

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12

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2p

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Day & Time of Assaults non d.v. related (%) - 2013

%


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Premise Type – Assault non d.v. related (2013)

39%

20%

16%

8%

4%

3%

2%

1%1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%1%

1%

1%

Premises Type (%) - 2013

Outdoor/ Public Place

Residential

Licensed Premises

Retail/ Wholesale

Public Transport

Recreation

Unknown

Office

Personal Services

Carpark

Health


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3.2.4 Action Plan – Assault Non Domestic Violence Related

Target Offence: Assault Non Domestic Violence

Project: Assault Non Domestic Violence Campaign

Rationale: North Sydney Council is investigating opportunities to activate the night-time economy and enliven the North Sydney central business district out of business

hours. Investigating opportunities to encourage certain licensed premises, such as small bars, to set up in the area is included as part of this strategy. At the same time,

Council also wishes to ensure that those residents and visitors who want to enjoy evening and late night activities are able to do so safely. This is therefore an

opportune moment to investigate and evaluate strategies which seek to mitigate the incidence of non domestic violence related assaults.

Objective: The overall objective of this project is to reduce the incidence of assualt non domestic violence in the LGA. This will be achieved through a multi-dimensional

strategy which targets the following objectives:

1. Establish a committee involving key stakeholders to drive the campaign.

2. Establishing a licensees’ voluntary code of practice.

3. Educating staff through a training program which targets key issues relating to alcohol related violence.

4. Increasing awareness of harm minimisation strategies at key entry points into the local area (e.g. Milsons Point & North Sydney train stations).

5. Establishing a program of safety audits designed for licensed premises and surrounding outdoor/ public spaces.

Lead Agency & Partners: North Sydney Council, Harbourside Local Area Command (NSW Police), Sydney Institute of Criminology, Harbourside Liquor Accord & licensed

premises, health promotion and drug & alcohol agencies.

Expected Outcome:

1. Number of assaults non domestic violence related decreases.

2. Staff awareness of alcohol related awareness increases.

3. Patrons awareness of harm minimisation strategies increases.

Action Task Situational Control Performance Measures Time Frames Funding Required Milestones

1. Project

establishment and

evaluation design

1. Invite Sydney

Institute of

Criminology to

N/A To be established in

partnership with the

Institute

Quarter 1 $50,000 over 3 years 1. Invitation made.

2. Terms of

Reference agreed.


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partner on event to

assist with project

design &

evaluation.

2. Establish

Committee

1. Invite key

stakeholders,

including interested

members of the

community to form

a steering

committee.

N/A No. of stakeholders

represented.

Quarter 1 $500 meeting catering 1. Stakeholders

invited.

2. Terms of

reference adopted.

3. Establish Code of

Practice

1. Work in

partnership with

Harbourside Liquor

Accord to develop

and adopt a Code

of Practice for

licensees.

Various – e.g.

16. Reduce

frustration & stress

17. Avoid disputes

21. Set rules

25. Control

drugs/Alcohol

No. of signatories. Quarter 2

onwards

$5,000 1. Meet to discuss

with Harbourside

Liquor Accord.

2. Gain Accord

support.

3. Draft Code of

Practice.

4. Adopt Code of

Practice.

5. Promote to

licensees.

4. Staff Training

Program

1. Audit existing

programs of

training for staff.

Various 1. All programs audited. Quarter 2 $20,000 1. Audit complete.

2. Identify existing

gaps.

1. Required training

programs identified.

Quarter 2 2. Gap analysis

complete.

3. Develop tailored

staff training

program in

partnership with

Harbourside Liquor

Accord to address

1. Training program

developed.

Quarter 3 3. Training

providers sourced.


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the gaps.

4. Roll-out the

training program.

1. Training commences Quarter 4 4. Training calendar

finalised.

5. Evaluate the

training program.

1. Evaluation report

complete.

End of

Program

5. Evaluation

complete.

5. Harm Minimisation

Awareness Campaign

1. Research

successful

strategies

19. Neutralise peer

pressure.

23. Alert conscience

1. Research complete. Quarter 3 $20,000 campaign

materials &

advertising

1. Research

commenced.

2. Research

completed.

2. Agree format &

design of key

messages

1. Campaign direction

approved.

Quarter 4 1. Options

discussed.

2. Decision made.

3. Identify key

strategic locations

for message

delivery

1. Locations identified. Quarter 4 1. Locations

identified.

4. Prepare

promotional

material

1. Campaign material

prepared.

Year 2 1. Materials

ordered.

2. Materials

received.

5. Commence

campaign

1. Campaign started. Year 2 1. Campaign

started.

6. Evaluate

campaign

1. Evaluation report

complete.

End of

Program

1. Evaluation

complete.

6. Safety Audits 1. Develop a

tailored Safety

Audit for licensed

premises.

N/A 1. Audit developed. Quarter 2 $0

Staff time only

2. Conduct safety

audits in identified

hotspots and

implement

prioritised

Various – e.g.

2. Control access to

facilities

7. Assist natural

surveillance

Number of safety audits

completed.

Target 5 per year

Quarter 2

onwards

$0

Staff time only

1. Hotspot

identified

2. Safety audit

conducted

Number of Quarter 2 TBC 1.


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recommendations recommendations

implemented.

Target 75% of

recommendations

onwards Recommendations

approved.

2.

Recommendations

implemented.


3.3 Patterns of Break and Enter Dwelling

Break and enter (dwelling) is defined by the ABS as: “the unlawful entry of a dwelling with the intent

to commit an offence where the entry is either forced or unforced”.


The trend over the last five years has been downward:

upswing in 2012 demonstrates this crim

distribution across the whole local government area suggests it has the capacity to negatively impact

large numbers of people.

3.3.2 Spatial Distribution (2012

375

314

229

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

2009 2010 2011 2012

Break & Enter - Dwelling - 5yr Trend


Break and Enter Dwelling in North Sydney

defined by the ABS as: “the unlawful entry of a dwelling with the intent

to commit an offence where the entry is either forced or unforced”.

The trend over the last five years has been downward: down 13% over 5 years. However,

demonstrates this crime is subject to some variation and its wide


(2012-13)

253

211

2012 2013

5yr Trend Break and Enter – 2 Year Trend

2014

21 | P a g e

defined by the ABS as: “the unlawful entry of a dwelling with the intent

However, the

e is subject to some variation and its wide-spread


2 Year Trend


22 | P a g e


Evidence suggests that burgalry is strongly determined by the victim’s daily habits. Incidents peak at

times when dwellings are unoccupied with the perpetrator often highly attuned to the victim’s use

of time. Criminals typically take advantage of the often predictable routine of victims. Whilst there is

no clear pattern across the year, the weekly and hourly pattern are quite clear. Break and enter

(dwelling) predominantly takes place during the week between 6.00am and 12.00pm when victims

have left for work. There is a marked peak on Tuesdays between 6.00am and 12.00pm.

Break and Enter (Dwelling) by Month (2013)

Day and Time of Break and Enter (Dwelling) (2013)

0

5

10

15

20

% of Break & Enter (Dwelling) by Month - 2013

%

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Day & Time of Assaults non d.v. related (%) - 2013

%


3.4 Patterns of Steal from Dwelling

Steal from dwelling differentiates from break and enter (dwelling) as they typically involve stealing

from parts of dwellings without breaking into the living space (e

gardens and garages). It also includes stealing from a dwelling where entry was lawfully gained (i.e.

they were invited in ).


The marked reversal in 2012 of the downward trend for steal from dwelling crime is

There was a 73% increase from 2011

August/September which merit further investigation.

3.4.2 Spatial Distribution

136124

105

0

50

100

150

200

2009 2010 2011 2012

Stealing from Dwelling -

Trend


Steal from Dwelling in North Sydney


from parts of dwellings without breaking into the living space (e.g. verandahs, balconie

. It also includes stealing from a dwelling where entry was lawfully gained (i.e.

The marked reversal in 2012 of the downward trend for steal from dwelling crime is

was a 73% increase from 2011 to 2012. The 2 year trend shows some interesting peaks around

August/September which merit further investigation.

183161

2012 2013

5 Year

Steal from Dwelling

2014

23 | P a g e


s, balconies, sheds,

. It also includes stealing from a dwelling where entry was lawfully gained (i.e.

The marked reversal in 2012 of the downward trend for steal from dwelling crime is clear to see.

The 2 year trend shows some interesting peaks around

Steal from Dwelling – 2 Year Trend


24 | P a g e


Steal from dwelling follows a slightly different temporal pattern to break and enter dwelling during

the year. There is a marginal peak in November but otherwise there is no clearly discernible pattern.

During the week, the pattern follows the same trend as break and enter dwelling, with the majority

of crimes committed between the hours of 6.00am and 12.00pm. The similarity of this pattern lends

itself to targetting both break and enter (dwelling) and steal from dwelling at the same time.

Steal from Dwelling by Month (2013)

Steal from Dwelling (2013)

02468

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% of Steal from Dwelling by Month - 2013

%

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25 | P a g e

3.4.4 Action Plan – Break & Enter / Steal from Dwelling

Target Offence: Break & Enter Dwelling/Steal from Dwelling.

Project: Home Security

Rationale: The incidence of steal from dwelling increased 73% in 2012. Combined, Break & Enter Dwelling/Steal from Dwelling represents 9% of all crime in the LGA.

Objective: The overall objective of this project is to reduce the incidence of Break & Enter Dwelling/Steal from Dwellings in the LGA. This will be achieved by targeting

victims to support and encourage them and their neighbours to take preventative action to prevent re-victimisation.

Lead Agency & Partners: North Sydney Council and Harbourside Local Area Command (NSW Police)

Expected Outcome:

1. Victims take action to prevent revictimisation.

2. Neighbours within the vicinity of a break and enter dwelling/steal from dwelling crime take preventative action.

Action Task Situational Control Performance Measures Time Frames Funding Required Milestones

1. Cocooning Strategy

Neighbours in the

vicinity of a crime are

warned of the risks

and encouraged to

take preventative

action

1. Develop

brochure with

checklist, facts and

prevention tips

1. Harden Targets

2. Control Access to

Facilities

11. Conceal Targets

12. Remove Targets

No. of brochures

produced

Target 2,500

Quarter 1 $3,000

Design, layout &

printing

1. Content

approved

2. Design

approved

3. Brochure

printed

2. Draft Security

Alert Letter

1. Harden Targets


Facilities

11. Conceal Targets

12. Remove Targets

No. of letters produced

Target 2,500

Quarter 1 $1,500

Design, layout &

printing

1. Content

approved

2. Design

approved

3. Letter

printed

2. Property Marking 1. Hold biannual

property marking

13. Identify Property Number of people

marking their property

Quarter 2 & 4 $0

Staff time only

1. Event

plan


26 | P a g e

days to promote

and undertake

property marking

for residents.

Target 50 per day approved

2. Event

held

2. Invesitgate

making property

marking kits

available for loan

through Stanton

Library

13. Identify Property Number of loans

Target 100 per year

Quarter 2 $600

Supply (4X $150)

1. Kits

purchased

2. Kits

launched

3. Victim Support

Strategy

1. Conduct safety

audit

Various Number of safety audits

completed

Target 15 per year

Quarter 2 onwards $0

Staff time only

1. Victim

identified

2. Safety

audit

conducted

2. Develop

subsidised security

improvements

program for victims

1. Harden Targets


Facilities

Number of subsidies

granted

Target 15 per year

Quarter 1 onwards TBC

Estimate $3,000

Subsidies

(15 X $200)

1. Subsidy

program

approved.

2. Subsidies

granted.


27 | P a g e

4. Conclusion

North Sydney is a comparatively safe place to live, work and visit. In comparison to other local

government areas in metropolitan Sydney, and other parts of NSW, North Sydney ranks in the safest

half of all councils on all but 8 of the 27 crime categories reported by BOCSAR. Appropriately, this

low level of crime is reflected in the feedback from residents who overwhelmingly report they feel

safe in the local area, notwithstanding some concerns about particular places or issues which they

feel could be improved.

Against this backdrop, this Plan seeks to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the NSW

Department of Police and Justice to have the Plan endorsed as a Safer Community Compact which

would entitle Council to apply for funding from the Department to implement the actions contained

in the Plan. This is an important consideration given the lack of resources currently available to

implement several of the actions contained in the Plan without such funding.

Finally, it is also important to recognise that whilst the focus of this Plan is on addressing assaults

non domestic violence related and break and enter dwellings/stealing from dwellings, it does not

preclude Council staff from addressing other community safety concerns. In this regard, it is noted

that Council has a long-standing and ongoing relationship with the Lower North Shore Domestic

Violence Network. It is also noted that Council plays a critical role in relation to liquor licensing and is

planning to undertake a review of the community impact statement process associated with liquor

license applications. It is appropriate that initiatives such as these continue despite falling outside

the scope of this Plan.

Documents

N S COMMUNITY SAFETY PLAN 2014-2017 C - North Sydney …...COMMUNITY SAFETY PLAN 2014-2017 Break & Enter -Dwelling 5% Assault -Non-Domestic Violence Related 4% Harrassment / Threatening