Community Safety is a much broader than the presence or absence of crime, it’s about all people feeling safe in the community regardless of your background, age or gender. It’s the sense of having the freedom to participate in your community without fear of harm. But is it’s also about how we create positive opportunities for people to contribute to their communities. We want to create cohesive and strong communities in Wyndham that you feel safe in and out proud of.
Need to work in partnership creating safe communities is a shared responsibility, That’s why Council is keen to work with local communities and groups such as yours to identify what can do together.
It is important to note that Council does not have the authority to police crime. Crime is primarily the responsibility of Victoria Police and the State Government, and any residents who have specific concerns should contact the local police and/or their local member of parliament.
To be effective, crime prevention requires communities and governments to work together. For further details download the Crime Prevention Responsibilities flyer.
People’s fear and worry about crime or lack of safety poses an ongoing challenge. It’s hard to keep track of ever changing statistics about the actual levels of crime in Wyndham.
Victoria Police host the Eyewatch – Wyndham Police Area Facebook Page.
Top Safety Tips
Knowing your neighbours is one of the best ways to improve safety and connection within your community. Knowing each other means we can help look out for each other. Consider hosting a neighbourhood event, or simply introduce yourself.
Wyndham City Council is proud to provide some further ‘Top Tips’ on how to remain safe in your home or on our streets.
Partnership with Neighbourhood Watch
Wyndham City has signed up to Neighbourhood Watch Victoria’s Engage Network, making the City the first municipality in Victoria to join the group.
The Engage Network brings together organisations whose work contributes towards a safe and engaged community. Organisations that are part of the Engage Network recognise, utilise and share each other’s information and resources to greater benefit all communities.
Neighbourhood Watch hosts 13 local groups in Wyndham alone, demonstrating the value residents place on connecting neighbours and keeping community members safe.
Community safety requires a partnership approach between police and emergency services, local organisations and residents. Wyndham City is always looking for ways to broaden and strengthen these partnerships.
Given the work of Neighbourhood Watch already underway in Wyndham, the Engage Network was the perfect way to solidify that work. Neighbourhood Watch groups do more than just look after safety, they help connect neighbours and contribute to the overall wellbeing of the community.
As a part of the commitment to the Engage Network, Council will host an annual meeting of all Neighbourhood Watch groups in Wyndham. This will be an opportunity for residents seeking information on the groups to find out more about what Neighbourhood Watch is achieving in Wyndham.
For more information on Neighbourhood Watch Victoria and to find your local group visit: https://nhw.com.au/groups/
Community Safety & Your Neighbours
Being safe in our community comes down to everyone being aware of what is happening in the community, it’s up to us to make our communities friendly and welcoming, here are a few tips that may help:
- Improve community connection – give a friendly wave, smile or even just say G’day when you next see a neighbour.
- Keep an eye out on kids around the area – whether you’re driving, walking, or wheeling. If we look out for all children, we can ensure they’re safe.
- Be mindful when out cycling – use your bell or your voice – let people know you’re coming behind them; pedestrians, move to the left and allow cyclists to pass.
- Children under 13 years old are able to cycle on footpaths.
- A person 13 years and older can accompany a child under 13 years cycling on a footpath.
- Adults 18 years and older with a young child in a child seat attached to their bicycle, or with a child pedalling on a bike attachment at the back of an adult bicycle, can cycle on the footpath.
- Keep your dog under control when out walking and move to the side of the path when people are coming the other way.
- When approaching a person with a dog, seek permission to pat their dog before touching the dog and respect the dog owner’s response.
esafety and Cyberbullying
Council understands the impact that cyberbullying can have on an individual wellbeing and safety. Cyberbullying can be reported to the social media services on which they appear. In most cases, the quickest way to get abusive content taken down is to report it to the service or platform it was posted on. You can also report cyber abuse to the commissioner for e-safety commissioner. You can contact the local police when there are serious incidences of serious cyber abuse.
Visit the e-safety website for valuable resources and information.
Social Media
Wyndham City takes very seriously the respectful use of social media. The terms of use on Council’s own pages are in place to ensure our pages are friendly and welcoming. Our terms of use request that when contributing content, users respect the views of other users and ensure that all material posted complies with Facebook’s Terms of Use.
In addition, we ask that users do not post material that is:
- Abusive, threatening, defamatory, or obscene
- Fraudulent, deceptive or misleading
- In violation of any law or regulation
- Otherwise offensive or inappropriate
- Overtly political
- Not suitable to all ages
- Discriminatory or offensive (particularly in reference to an individual’s race, age, gender, sexuality, political leaning, religion or disability)
While Council moderates its own pages including comments within the thread of posts as well profanity filters, it does not have jurisdiction over community Facebook pages, their admins or members. In many cases these pages are ‘private’ and members must be approved before they can join.
How To Report A Scam
- www.cyber.gov.au: Identity theft involving online fraud, shoppingfraud, romance fraud, investment fraud & Cyberabuse (online harassment).
- www.scamwatch.gov.au: Information on the latest scams.
- Police Assistance Line 131 444 or www.police.vic.gov.au: If you’re the victim of a scam or fraud (deception)
Assistance:
- IDCARE – free service to protect and help restore your identity from identity theft: https://www.idcare.org/or Ph: 1800 595 160
- Moneysmart – free service to reduce the risk of investment scams: https://moneysmart.gov.au/.
At your home
- Get to know your neighbours. If there is any suspicious activity at your home when you’re not there, a neighbour could notice and alert the authorities.
- Make sure that all your doors and windows are locked and well secured, even if you are home.
- Always leave a light on inside your home, even at night or when you’re away, to give the impression somebody is there
- Consider installing an alarm system.
- Don’t leave valuables like computers, phones or new televisions in positions that are easily noticeable from the street.
- Don’t leave boxes or packaging for new electronic appliances on the nature strip – it notifies possible thieves of what is inside.
- Park prestige cars in the garage.
- When away on holiday, don’t post on social media – you never know who is watching.
- Connect with your local Neighbourhood Watch group
On the streets
- Always be aware of your surroundings.
- Avoid walking with earphones in your ears.
- At night keep to major roads that are well-lit.
- Don’t get into the car with strangers.
- Carry a mobile phone with you at all times.
- Keep a safe distance between yourself and strangers.
- If you notice you’re being followed, walk close to the road and change your direction, then call the police.
- When driving, don’t play music too loud and keep your car doors locked at all times.
Vehicle safety
- Always lock your car.
- Don’t leave any valuables unattended in your car.
- Park it in a garage when you can.
- Have one-way screws put in place into your number plate to avoid theft.
- Never leave keys in the ignition when your car is unattended
- Consider installing an immobiliser, steering wheel lock or transmission lock
WynBay TAC L2P Learner Driver Program
Wyndham City is committed to driver and pedestrian safety as outlined in our Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan 2022 – 2032.
One of the ways we support safer roads is to promote and offer grant support to the Learner Driver programs operating in our city.
This includes the Laverton based, WynBay TAC L2P Learner Driver Program.
For the annual program to continue to be successful, volunteer mentors are regularly needed.
The program is open to young drivers who do not have access to a supervisor to gain driving practise.
Mentors should be:
- Over 21 and have their full driver’s license
- Be available 1-2 hours a week for driving practise
A car is provided, insured and provided with fuel.
Mentor drivers have an invaluable role in helping to make our communities safer.
For more information visit: https://lcis.org.au/about-l2p/
Victoria Police Factsheet
Victoria Police have a range of more detailed Fact Sheets from to let you know what simple steps you can take to keep yourself, your family and your community safe, including:
- Preventing theft from motor vehicles
- Preventing burglaries from home
- Preventing burglaries during holidays or absence from your property
- Preventing vehicle number plate theft
- Protecting yourself from online crime
- Personal safety on a night out and protecting yourself from theft in public
Find out more by visiting https://www.police.vic.gov.au/your-safety,
State Government Crime Prevention Officers
Each police division has its own Crime Prevention Officer (CPO). The CPO acts as a liaison officer to individuals and community groups. They provide advice and suggest remedies to local community safety problems.
What services they offer:
- Consultation with local communities.
- An analysis of crime trends and statistics.
- The use of a problem solving approach to crime reduction.
The majority of CPOs have been trained in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). The CPTED philosophy recognises that we, as a community, can design our public and private places in ways that prevent criminal activity. CPTED training is at the forefront of proactive policing initiatives and demonstrates Victoria Police's commitment to public safety.
Contact with the Wyndham CPO can be made by calling (03) 9742 9444.
State Government Grants for Community Safety
The State Government has provided grants to Council and community groups to promote Community Safety over a number of years. Some of these initiatives include the lighting of Station Place and the upgrades to Kelly Park in Werribee.
To find out more visit the Community Crime Prevention website.
To see a list of programs and initiatives funded by the State Government click here.
Being safe from family violence
Everybody has the right to feel safe and not live in fear. This includes feeling secure in your own family household. In Australia, it is against the law to be hurt or controlled by any member of your family, including your partner, children and in-laws. This is known as family violence, and it is an issue that is taken very seriously.
Council provides extensive information and lists of support options regarding family violence.
If you are a victim of a crime
Everyone reacts and deals with being a victim of crime differently.
If you feel like you need some support or advice or you can contact the Victims of Crime Helpline on 1800 819 817 or go to http://www.victimsofcrime.vic.gov.au/
Reporting Graffiti
To report graffiti call Wyndham Council’s 24 hour Graffiti Reporting Line on 8734 2709 or email graffiti@wyndham.vic.gov.au