Youth crime rates in New South Wales (NSW) are reportedly declining, but some residents, like Shayne Miller from Moree, feel differently. Miller's friend, Mick Citkota, a 52-year-old motel owner, was recently attacked and stabbed in the lung. "You couldn't get a nicer person, so to see a dear friend hurt like that, it instils a level of fear and anxiety," Miller said. She expressed concern that if such violence could happen to Citkota, it could happen to anyone.

Moree has experienced two violent break-ins within three weeks, allegedly involving five boys, some as young as 11, who forced their way into homes at night. The New England North West Region, where Moree is located, has some of the highest youth crime rates in NSW, according to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). The region reports 587.7 offenses per 10,000 young people, trailing only behind Far West and Orana, and Sydney's City and Inner South.

While youth crime rates in NSW have been decreasing since a spike during the COVID-19 pandemic, the decline is more pronounced in urban areas than in rural ones. BOCSAR's latest data indicates that in the year leading up to June 2025, 12 of Sydney's 15 statistical areas had youth crime rates below 300 offenses per 10,000 young people, with seven areas below 200. In contrast, only five of the 13 areas outside Sydney reported rates below 300, and none fell below 200.

In response to rising concerns, the NSW government has initiated an inquiry into community safety in regional areas. During a public hearing in Tamworth, 18-year-old Matty-Ray Walford, a reformed young offender, shared his experiences. "We struggled a lot for money and all that," he said. "I had a lot of run-ins with the police growing up, but it's better now. I've come a long way from what I used to do and how I used to be."

Walford noted that the cycle of crime often feels inevitable for youth in challenging environments. "If you grow up around certain things, seeing people you look up to doing this and that, it's going to come into you," he said. Inquiry chair Edmond Atalla echoed this sentiment, stating, "The common theme is the home. If the home is broken, if the home is toxic … young people don't want to be around, so they go out roaming the streets at all hours of the night."

In response to these issues, the state government has announced an $8.75 million bail accommodation and support service for Moree. Local mayor Susannah Pearse welcomed the initiative, stating, "We have kids out on our street in the middle of the night, and what they need isn't necessarily activities and things to do. What they need is actually a roof over their heads, a full belly, and a place to sleep."

However, Miller expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the new service. "A bail house for four youth isn't going to change the dynamic when the community services sector will tell you there's at least 20 individuals we need to manage," she said. "But I don't think locking people up is the solution either."

The inquiry also highlighted the success of a program called Dhina, which means "fresh footprints" in the Gamilaraay language. Operated by the Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council, Dhina provides young offenders with paid work in landscaping, mowing, and cleaning, along with mentoring. Project coordinator Brad Moore reported significant results, noting that police contact with five teenagers identified as "ringleaders" of youth crime dropped by 77 percent over 16 weeks. Additionally, offending among 20 of their close associates decreased by nearly 40 percent.

"They look out for each other. There's a lot of respect there," Moore said. Those involved in the program believe it offers a viable solution to youth crime. "One thing we've learned through this project is that things don't have to be the way they are," said Brad Michie, business development manager for the Tamworth LALC. "This approach is transferable; the framework can be replicated across Australia."