Police concern with African youth crime

By NICOLE WILLIAMS
POLICE have blamed a lack of support services for high levels of crime among Somali and Sudanese youth.
But the Greater Dandenong community say young people are contributing to their community in positive ways.
Victoria Police statistics showed that Sudanese or Somali-born residents were five times for likely to commit a crime that the wider community and a high number of offenders were aged under 21.
Assaults and street robberies were the crimes which concerned police.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Fontana said youth of African descents were overrepresented 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.”
Greater Dandenong community services director Mark Doubleday said council had collaborated with Victoria Police, the Department of Justice and the Department of Human Services on improving the health and wellbeing outcomes for young people in the area.
“Young people from all backgrounds participate in council’s programs, which aim to encourage participation, social integration and youth development,” he said.
“Crime statistics don’t reveal all the good examples of young people participating in and contributing to their community.”
John James is one example of young African people making positive changes – he is the founder of Young African Connection, a group of young African descendents who organise cultural and sporting events to connect young people and build leadership.
When the Star spoke to Mr James earlier this year, he said it was easy for African youths could get involved in the wrong crowd but Young African Connection hoped to change that.
“Where we came from there is war, there is no security and no education,” he said. “We want to create opportunities to get involved in something that is good for their wellbeing.
“The opportunity is now before tomorrow comes.”
Last year, Young African Connection organised a soccer event where 400 young people were able to interact and share a positive message with the community and a second cultural event is in the planning stages.
Mr James also speaks at events and schools to inspire young people to make positive contributions to their community.