Key to African crime

By Bridget Cook
POLICE have blamed a lack of support services for the high levels of crime among Somali and Sudanese youth.
But the City of Casey says they offer a range of support programs and services to help with their settlement and integration into the community.
Last week, Victoria Police released data that revealed Sudanese or Somali-born residents were five times more likely to commit a crime than the wider community.
The figures showed that Sudanese and Somali offenders were still most prolific in committing assault, justice procedure, theft, robbery and property damage offences.
The Southern Metro region, which incorporates Casey, recorded the second-highest number of alleged Sudanese and Somali offenders processed.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Fontana said youth of African descent were over-represented in crime statistics.
“We are concerned about the level of offending by youth of African descent and we’re particularly concerned about the level of the violence of altercations and also the age of the individuals involved,” Mr Fontana said.
“We need to provide support to these communities so we can help break the cycle.”
Mr Fontana named Casey as one of the areas of concern.
“There’s a high population of African communities in different suburbs around Melbourne,” he said.
“If you looked at those communities, there are a lot of other pressures to support the community generally.
“Where they’re living, it’s stretched for resources.
“We are trying to work with local councils and government agencies to assist.
“We can’t do this alone, we need support from the community.”
City of Casey manager community strengthening Janette Green said Sudanese and Somali communities arriving in Australia tended to be resourceful and to join together in helping one another with transition.
“They have set up umbrella organisations and a range of associations to ensure that tribes are being represented,” she said.
“Through greater links with community leaders, their capacity is continuing to develop to increase access services in the community.”
Ms Green names a number of programs and services the council offered to help the African community.
“As part of council’s youth service, officers work with local schools to provide homework support programs which include Sudanese students,” she said.
“In partnership with settlement service providers, sport and recreation programs are run to support the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program.
“Local community safety and youth officers have been working with community and liaising with Sudanese/Somalian support services based in Noble Park.
“As with the range of support services available to all residents, the council has assisted Sudanese families in Cranbourne to locate spaces for a playgroup and has offered assistance for a family support program provided by settlement service New Hope Foundation.
“Information sessions on community safety or other relevant council services have been provided to new and emerging communities including residents from a Somalian/Sudanese background.”
Ms Green said the main settlement service provider in Casey was the Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre which worked closely with the council to help link these communities into services and assist in developing cultural competency.