Funding boost for Byron youth crime prevention

BYRON Youth Service will receive $500,000 in federal funding to support youth crime prevention initiatives under a national program targeting at-risk young people.

The funding, announced this week, is part of the federal government’s Youth Empowerment Program, which is investing $28.3 million to improve community safety across the country.

Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said the funding would support a range of local initiatives.

“Labor’s funding for Byron Youth Service will support vitally important youth crime prevention programs, including individual support for young offenders, seminars in schools addressing issues such as consent and risky-driving, school holiday activities, and so much more,” Elliot said.

“BYS has a strong and established presence in our local community and I know they deliver effective and innovative programs for young people.”

The program supports initiatives aimed at young people aged 10 to 17 who are involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in, criminal or anti-social behaviour.

“I’m proud to be delivering significant funding for Richmond to strengthen community safety, alongside our $3 million election commitment for crime prevention infrastructure,” Elliot said.

The grant is in addition to the $293,323 allocated to Byron Youth Service in 2024 under the same program.