Preston Crime Prevention Factsheet

Background to Preston Preston is located in the Northern suburbs of Melbourne, roughly 10 kilometres from the Central Business District. Preston has a long history of community involvement and this is perhaps demonstrated by the iconic landmarks of Preston Market and Preston City Oval (also referred to as Cramer Street oval due to its location on Cramer Street next to Cramers Hotel). Given Prestons multiculturalism it is important that community development is a key area of focus for both the City of Darebin and Victoria Police.

The importance of Sport

Sport is often praised for its contribution to the community and society in general, the Western Australia Department of Sport and Recreation (2013) claim there are a number of key areas where sport has a positive influence, they include: Education Health Benefits Crime Prevention Economic Benefits

McAlion (2013) further praise sport as a cohesion tool, suggesting that although premierships and success are great, there is a much greater role that sport plays in society.

Why is sport specifically important to the suburb of Preston?

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2011) roughly 42% of individuals living in Preston were born outside of Australia. The main countries of birth outside of Australia in the suburb include Italy (4.4%), China (3.9%) and Greece (3.6%). Furthermore in 45.9% of households, two or more languages are spoken at home with Italian and Greek both again being popular. This all means that Preston is a very multi-cultural suburb and given some of the potential barriers to communication sport can be used as a driver for growth within the community. Mickelburough (2010) further understands that Preston is one of the five most crime prone suburbs of Melbourne. Cameron and MacDougall (2000) also believe that sport and physical activity can reduce crime by providing accessible, appropriate activities in a supportive social context.

Preston Crime Prevention Factsheet

The need for crime prevention within Preston

As previously identified, Preston has become recognized for the high crime rate within the suburb, Hoffman (2013) further supports the need for improvement in crime levels, detailing that a series of numberplate thefts in the area has sparked an increase in Police awareness. The Crunch (2013) understands that the total crime figure between 2011 and 2012 was 4406, up from 4026 in the year prior. With an increase of almost 400 crimes it is obvious that Preston has become increasingly prone to crime.

Current Community Sport Programs Offered

Preston City Council currently offers the Healthy Moves and Free Exercise project that is targeted at socially disadvantaged individuals and provides community-based physical activity and healthy eating programs (Darebin City Council, 2013a). This project includes a number of programs to disadvantaged individuals including free Zumba classes, subsidised gym memberships, outdoor exercise equipment and Heart Foundation walking programs, please see the full list of programs and a description of each at: http://www.darebin.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.aspx?Page_Id=9776 Darebin City Council (2013b) outlines a number of current crime prevention programs that can be used in connection with sport to develop the community. These programs include the Darebin Community Awards, the Darebin Local Safety Committee and Community Safety Month Events. A full list is available at: http://www.darebin.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.aspx?Page_Id=4549

Preston Crime Prevention Factsheet

References
Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011, 2011 Census Quickstats: Preston (Vic.), Australian Bureau of Statistics, viewed 15 October 2013, http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/quickstat/SSC21113

Cameron, M & MacDougall, C 2000, Crime Prevention Through Sport and Physical Activity, Australian Institute of Criminolgy, viewed 15 October 2013, http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/3/E/F/%7B3EF114BC-51A4-4311-A9120E9AD1833995%7Dti165.pdf

Darebin City Council 2013a, Healthy Moves and Free Exercise, Darebin City Council, viewed 15 October 2013, http://www.darebin.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.aspx?Page_Id=9776

Hoffman, T 2013, Rising numberplate theft in Darebin sparks Preston Police warning, Leader, viewed 29 October 2013, http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/rising-numberplate-theft-in-darebinsparks-preston-police-warning/story-fnglenug-1226747021519#

McAllion 2013, Sportsview, the official VicSport Newsletter, VicSport, viewed 15 October, http://www.vicsport.asn.au/Assets/Files/September%20Sportsview%20Final.pdf

Mickelburough, P 2010, Crime creeps into every corner of Victoria, Herald Sun, viewed 15 October 2013, http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/crime-creeps-into-every-corner-ofvictoria/story-e6frf7kx-1225914501326

The Crunch 2013, Crime in Victoria get the data, The Sydney Morning Herald, viewed 15 October 2013, http://www.smh.com.au/data-point/blogs/the-crunch--data-point/crime-in-victoria--get-thedata-20130403-2h639.html

Western Australia Department of Sport and Recreation 2013, The value of sport and recreation, Western Australia Department of Sport and Recreation, viewed 15 October, 2013, http://www.dsr.wa.gov.au//assets/files/Advocacy/The%20Value%20of%20Sport%20and%20Recreat ion.pdf