Community Safety and Crime Prevention

Strategies and Initiatives

Improving community safety and reducing crime is Council's priority. 

We continually develop projects that address the needs and concerns of local residents. Central to the development and delivery of these projects are the strong partnerships with community, Police, business owners, government and non-government service providers.

 

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Under The Law

'Under The Law' is a 28-minute video that uses storytelling as a way to engage and educate communities about the rights and responsibilities of Australian residents. Complimentary copies of the video in Arabic or Vietnamese can be sent to you by emailing crimeprevention@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au.

 Screenshot of Under the Law video on Youtube

Click here to watch the video "Under the Law"

 

Everyone has the right to live without violence and abuse; your human rights don't stop when you close your front door. In Australia, police are there to help victims of domestic and family violence. For many people, naming and reporting domestic violence can be a hard decision. 'Family Matters' looks at different views and beliefs that stop people reporting domestic and family violence.

 

Screenshot of Family Matters video on Youtube

Click here to watch the video "Family Matters"


Safety Audit

A community safety audit is a process of reviewing public spaces and urban areas and making recommendations about how they can be improved to prevent crime and promote community safety.

Download the Safety Audit Fact Sheet(PDF, 275KB).


CCTV

As part of its strategy for reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in Fairfield City, Council rolled out a CCTV installation program in open spaces in locations across the City.

Domestic and Family Violence

Domestic and family violence is behaviour that is used to control and intimidate. It is an abuse of power that can leave people feeling hurt, trapped, depressed, despaired and/or fearful.

Forms of domestic violence include sexual assault; psychological and emotional abuse; financial abuse; physical violence, intimidation, threats and stalking.

Council provides funding for Domestic and Family Violence Prevention initiatives as part of the Community Development Grants Program. This includes:  

Visit Community Development Grants for more information.

Download a copy of our Fairfield Domestic and Family Violence Service Directory(PDF, 709KB)

Assistance and support is available for people experiencing violence.

Police 000

Committees and Networks

Council actively participates in numerous committees and networks that address issues of Community Safety and Crime Prevention.

Mayor's Crime Prevention Reference Group

The Mayor's Crime Prevention Reference Group is a formal partnership between Council, Police, government agencies, community organisations and local residents to work together to improve community safety and reduce crime in Fairfield City.


Fairfield Domestic Violence Committee

The Fairfield Domestic Violence Committee (FDVC) aims to reduce the local incidence of domestic violence through the development of partnerships and increased coordination of service provision. The Committee has operated for over 25 years.

Fairfield City Council is a member of the FDVC and has a long-standing commitment to reducing domestic violence in the City.


Local Government Community Safety and Crime Prevention Network

Fairfield City Council is a founding member of this NSW state wide network. The Local Government Community Safety and Crime Prevention Network is made up of stakeholders that have an interest in improving community safety and reducing and preventing crime.


Fairfield Community Drug Action Team

Since 1999, Community Drug Action Teams (CDATs) have led thousands of community activities and campaigns to engage and educate at-risk youth, parents and the wider community to curb alcohol-fueled violence and drug use. The Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) supports the CDATs through the Community Engagement and Action Program (CEAP) funded by NSW Health (adf.org.au). The Fairfield CDAT was established in 2000 following concerns expressed by the community regarding the drug issues in Cabramatta. The Fairfield CDAT has evolved over time into a group made up of local organisations committed to delivering programs and projects focused on educating, raising awareness and providing information.   


Homelessness Interagency

Over the past two years there has been an increase in the reporting of rough sleepers - people sleeping on the streets - in Fairfield City’s streets and parks from residents, business owners and Council staff. Prior to this increase in rough sleepers, Council focused on addressing those ‘at risk’ of homelessness who would be referred to accommodation services. Council co-convenes a joint Homelessness Interagency in Partnership with Liverpool City Council. The Interagency meets monthly and alternates the location from Fairfield to Liverpool. 

For more information on the above networks and committees, please contact Council’s Social Planning and Community Development Team on 9725 0222 or email scd@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au.

Car Security

Fairfield City Council has partnered with The National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council over a number of years to help reduce vehicle theft and theft of valuables from vehicles in Fairfield City.

Operation Bounce Back was created as part of the collaboration and a series of videos were developed outlining best car security practice.

If you would like more information about Operation Bounce Back contact Council’s Customer Service team on 9725 0222 or email scd@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au.

Cartoon of a thief stealing a number plate while thinking about how he will use it to steal petrol

Thieves steal number plates to commit crime

Graffiti

Fairfield City Council in partnership with the Department of Juvenile Justice initiated the Graffiti Paint Out Program focusing on reducing graffiti and vandalism at parks and other public facilities. It is operated through the community service order program.

Residents are encouraged to notify Council of problem graffiti locations via the following:

  • Sign up to VandalTrak and report graffiti online or via the VandalTrak app, available for Apple or Android
  • Or contact Council's Customer Service team on 9725 0222

Download Graffiti and the Law Factsheet(PDF, 280KB)

Safeguarding Against Fraud

The ‘Safeguarding Against Fraud’ project aims to educate and raise awareness of fraud in the Fairfield community. The project has been funded by Department of Communities and Justice and developed in partnership with Fairfield City Council, NSW Police – Fairfield City Police Area Command, Fairfield Neighbourhood Watch, CORE Community Services, NAVITAS English, NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Services (STARTTS) and Woodville Alliance.

Did you know?

  • In Australia, a total of 99,321 scams were reported in 2020 with $89,585,809 lost (Scam Watch, https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/scam-statistics)
  • In NSW, a total of 29,000 scams were reported in 2020 with $25,476, 145 lost (Scam Watch, https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/scam-statistics)
  • In Fairfield City, fraud remains a major crime category and is underreported. From July 2018 – June 2020, there were a total of 2,748 recorded incidents of fraud (NSW BOCSAR)

Stop, avoid and protect yourself from scams

Fraudsters are good at their game, but if you recognise the ‘warning signs’ you can avoid their traps and protect yourself. The resources below have been developed to help you better understand types of fraud, how to protect yourself and when to report. The resources are translated in Arabic, Assyrian, Chinese, Vietnamese and Khmer.

STOP-AVOID-PROTECT-yourself-from-scams.pdf(PDF, 4MB)

 

Fairfield Community Drug Action Team (CDAT)

How to become a member

If you’re interested in becoming a member of the Fairfield CDAT, sign a copy of the membership agreement form below and email it to the Convener - Natasa Zekanovic at crimeprevention@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au.

Fairfield CDAT - Membership Agreement Form 2021(PDF, 496KB)  

NSW CDAT Program

There are more than 60 CDATs across NSW. A consortium of specialist alcohol and other drug organisations led by Odyssey House NSW manages the program, supporting CDATs across the state to deliver primary prevention activities and help reduce drug and alcohol related harm in their local communities. Along with Odyssey House NSW, the consortium includes The Buttery, Karralika Programs Inc. and Bila Muuji Aboriginal Corporation Health Service Inc.

What is the Fairfield CDAT?

The Fairfield CDAT covers the region of Fairfield LGA and works in partnership with agencies, community representatives and government through a primary prevention and harm minimisation approach.

Fairfield CDAT has been in existence since 2000 and continues to work towards identifying and responding to the diverse needs of the local community, increasing community awareness and promoting protective factors in the community to reduce the impact of Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) related harms.

The Fairfield CDAT is currently focus on drug and alcohol initiatives supporting young people. 

Meetings are held bi-monthly on the second Wednesday of the month. The next meeting will be held online on Wednesday 8 September, 10am - 12pm. 

Current CDAT Projects

Stronger Without Project

Stronger Without logo

The Fairfield CDAT is currently working on the Stronger Without project. The project focuses on raising awareness of healthy physical activity amongst young men to increase knowledge of how to stay healthy without the use of steroids. In 2018, steroids were reported as the number one most commonly injected drug in Australia over a 6 year period (The Butterfly Effect 2018).

As part of the project, the Fairfield CDAT is working in partnership with a personal trainer to develop a poster and video series to provide information around healthy training tips to build capacity of young males to be more aware of healthy and alternative options in achieving muscle progression. 

Fairfield Local Drug Action Team

Fairfield Local Drug Action Team (LDAT)

The Fairfield Local Drug Action Team (LDAT) was established through the Alcohol and Drug Foundation. The partners include:

  • Fairfield City Council
  • Alcohol and Drug Foundation
  • NSW Police Force – Fairfield City Police Area Command
  • South Western Sydney Health District – Drug Health Services
  • Department of Communities and Justice
  • Family Drug Support
  • NSW Service for the Treatment of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS)

Leading Stronger and Connected Communities project

The Leading Stronger and Connected Communities project is an initiative of The Fairfield Local Drug Action Team (LDAT), and focuses on building the capacity, knowledge and confidence of community and faith leaders and community workers to work towards prevention of alcohol and other drug (AOD) related harm. The project aims to challenge the attitudes, beliefs and stigmas associated with AOD.

Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Resource Tool Kit

The AOD resource tool kit has been developed through consultation with a diverse group of stakeholders. The information used to develop the resource tool kit was gathered through a stakeholder forum conducted in June 2019 with community and faith leaders, anonymous surveys, regular LDAT meetings, interviews with the CALD community and staff within Fairfield City Council, and consultations with an alcohol and other drugs expert and local men’s and women’s groups. The resounding theme to emerge from the consultations and interviews was the prevalence of stigma and judgement around the use of AOD.

The resource tool kit includes a:

  1. user guide
  2. set of cards with an illustration, message and discussion points
  3. glossary with information about alcohol, drugs and their effects
  4. directory of resources and services available within the Fairfield LGA

For enquiries about the AOD resource tool kit please email crimeprevention@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au 

Fairfield Local Drug Action Team - Leading Stronger and Connected Communities Project

Hear from our community and faith leaders!

Hear from our community and faith leaders on the importance of talking about drug and alcohol in your community and breaking down stigma. We encourage you to share these videos translated in Assyrian, Arabic and Vietnamese.

Screenshot of 'Fairfield LDAT - Leading Stronger and Connected Communities project' Assyrian video on Youtube

Click here to watch the video "Leading Stronger and Connected Communities" (Assyrian with English subtitles)
Presented by Reverend Ramen Youkhanis, Parish Priest at St Hurmizd Cathedral


Screenshot of 'Fairfield LDAT - Leading Stronger and Connected Communities project' Arabic video on Youtube

Click here to watch the video "Leading Stronger and Connected Communities" (Arabic with English subtitles)
Presented by Maisoon Samir Yalda, Principal of Urhi Chaldean Community Language School


Screenshot of 'Fairfield LDAT - Leading Stronger and Connected Communities project' Vietnamese video on Youtube

Click here to watch the video "Leading Stronger and Connected Communities" (Vietnamese with English subtitles)
Presented by Minh Tran, Community Engagement and Culture Officer at Fairfield Community Corrections