Andy Park: Keeping kids off the street and out of trouble is a pretty common problem without many solutions. But in Western Australia's Far North, one town is celebrating the success of their community led program. Dunja Karagic has this story.
Dunja Karagic: As the sun sets in Fitzroy Crossing in WA's Far North, children run around in the golden hour as families listen to speeches marking a milestone.
Rochelle Dolby: We listen to our young people voices and have worked with them to create a space that they told us what they need for this community.
Dunja Karagic: They're celebrating the one year anniversary of an important youth hub called The Night Space run by the community's Marra Warra Warra Aboriginal Corporation. Speaking to the crowd, Youth Connections program manager Rochelle Dolby says it's been life changing.
Rochelle Dolby: We have built healthy relationships, shared stories, laughed hard, felt shame, had dinner together and we got to know more about our language, family and culture.
Dunja Karagic: In that time, more than 600 children like 13 year old Joecia have walked through the doors accessing a safe space where they can play activities and get a meal after dark.
Joecia: Yeah and I love the place to play basketball you know.
Dunja Karagic: Night Space cook Soraya Middleton has helped serve more than 20,000 meals to children here. She's one of a number of community members who say this program has helped significantly in reducing youth crime.
Sohraya Middleton: It's just broke the cycle back in the days when we were young. The kids back then used to do this break in and thing. Now there's the night place. It increases the crime in Fitzroy, the robbing around the town. It got less. We are so proud.
Dunja Karagic: Fitzroy Crossing Police Station's officer in charge, Senior Sergeant Mark Howe, has noticed the large drop in crime.
Snr Sgt Mark Howe: As a police officer we often see the darker side of life which is why being even a small part of something as good as the night space is good for the soul. Since its inception we've seen a significant reduction in stolen motor vehicles and burglaries.
Dunja Karagic: WA Police say in the year before the program began there were 74 offences for stealing a car which dropped to 35 since the program. However these figures don't identify how many were committed by children. Night Space worker Lionel Ma grew up in Fitzroy Crossing and says the program uses local staff and that helps build connections with the children.
Lionel Marr: Not being judgemental or anything just opening the front gates and stuff and letting them come in and feeling safe.
Dunja Karagic: Meanwhile a thousand kilometres away, Kununurra is grappling with a surge in juvenile offending with 30 children recently arrested for a spate of alleged stolen vehicle and reckless driving incidents. With a night space opening there next year, it's hoped the town will see a drop in crime too. Speaking at the anniversary, former WA Attorney General John Quigley says Fitzroy Crossing is a role model for other towns.
John Quigley: Fitzroy Crossing community is showing the way. You cannot arrest your way out of a social problem. It's up to the community to wrap their arms around those in need.
Dunja Karagic: And while not all children at the anniversary are regular attendees of the Night Space, they all had one simple message.
Supporters: We love night space!
Andy Park: Keen supporters of the youth hub Night Space ending that report by Dunja Karagic.