A number of programs designed to improve community safety and reduce crime were today recognised at the Tasmanian ceremony of the 2010 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards.

The Minister for Police and Emergency Management, Lin Thorp, and the Commissioner of Tasmania Police, Darren Hine, congratulated the Tasmanian recipients at an awards ceremony in Hobart today.

“The annual Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards reward best practice in the prevention or reduction of violence and other types of crime in Australia,” said Mr Hine.

“They are also recognition of the valuable contribution these projects make to the community and the hard work of those behind them.”

“Many people in the community have benefitted from these projects which have either helped them to avoid becoming a victim of crime, or to avoid becoming involved in crime,” said Ms Thorp.

The Awards are sponsored by the Heads of Australian Governments as a joint Commonwealth, State and Territory initiative. The monetary awards total $130,000 every year. The national winners were announced by Senator the Hon. Brendan O’Connor, the Federal Minister for Justice, on Thursday 28 October 2010.

This year, three Tasmanian entries were considered worthy of being awarded a Certificate of Merit.

1) Certificate of Merit
Mental Health Diversion List – The Magistrates Court of Tasmania

The Mental Health Diversion List (MHDL) seeks to provide mentally ill defendants with an opportunity to address their mental health issues through court-mandated treatment programs or interventions. A person can refer themselves to the MHDL or be referred by family, other magistrates, or justice and health agencies. If a person is assessed as eligible and provides their consent, they appear before a specialist magistrate who invokes bail conditions to facilitate further assessment and development of a treatment plan, based on advice from health and justice professionals. The plan’s duration is tailored to each individual.

The MHDL is funded from recurrent Government finances. It aims to reduce re-offending and improve community safety. A 2009 evaluation found rates and incidence of offending decreased for people on the program. Additionally, the "problem-solving" court approach pioneered in the MHDL has been progressively mainstreamed into other areas of judging.

2) Certificate of Merit and $1,000
Glenorchy Business Crime Working Group – Glenorchy City Council

The Glenorchy Business Crime Working Group (GBCWG) was established following the results of a business crime survey conducted by the Glenorchy City Council in conjunction with Tasmania Police. The survey identified contemporary issues and concerns, including the perceptions of crime levels and severity, within the shopping precincts.

The GBCWG is made up of representatives from businesses, local government and local police. Its long-term goals are to:
• target-harden business premises
• reinforce community confidence
• revitalise business confidence in the city
• identify contemporary local business crime issues
• educate the business and wider community of the need for crime prevention vigilance
• reduce the gap between the level of crime and perceptions of crime; and
• provide an effective and efficient process for the transmission of information from businesses to local police.

The tangible outcomes of the project include:
• five education forums delivered to approximately 400 people in the business community
• the implementation of an email system – Mind Our Business – that provides a process to informally pass on information to police concerning matters that do not amount to reporting a crime
• distribution of pamphlets and stickers to all city residents to reinforce the message of providing information to police and strengthening business confidence

The GBCWG is funded through council funds and community donation.

3) Certificate of Merit
U-Turn Program – Mission Australia

U-Turn, funded through the Department of Police and Emergency Management, is a diversionary program for young motor vehicle theft offenders and those young people who are at risk of stealing motor vehicles.

At U-Turn’s core is a structured ten-week automotive training course in car maintenance and body work, delivered in a workshop environment. Key components of U-Turn include:
• restorative justice
• case management
• personal development
• links to employment and further education, and
• post-course support for up to 2 years.

U-Turn aims to:
• reduce the rate of motor vehicle theft by young people
• prevent recidivism and chronic career offending by young people
• address antisocial behaviour
• work with participants to address self-identified barriers and issues
• link participants with a comprehensive network of support
• assist participants to maximise their potential and positively contribute to society; and
• ensure that each program participant gains an automotive Certificate.

Tasmania Police Media
(03) 6230 2296