Police talks begin

Surry Hills Police hosted the first Community Safety Precinct Committee Meeting last week at the local station. The meetings replace the former PACT meetings and allow community groups and police to discuss local problems and develop ways to deal with them.

Among the groups represented at the meeting were ACON, the City of Sydney Council, the Housing Department, Lesbian and Gay Anti-Violence Project, Taylor Village Residents Group, Surry Hills Business Alliance, Entertainment Quarter, Hyde Park Community Voice and Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre.

Key areas identified by the committee for collaborative attention included alcohol-related crime, anti-social behaviour, the general amenity within Surry Hills Local Area Command for residents living in the vicinity of the entertainment areas, homophobic violence and criminal and anti-social behaviour within local housing estates.

The aim of the program is to reduce localised crime and fear within the Surry Hills police area and coordinate a multifaceted approach to crime prevention.