Federal Member for Throsby Stephen Jones says Lake Illawarra PCYC and Access Community Group will share in $12.5 million as part of the National Crime Prevention Fund.

I am delighted that money from the National Crime Prevention Fund is going towards two great local organisations, said Jones.

Access Community Group were granted $298,000 for their work on the 2528 Project to identify people aged 12 to 24 who are at risk of getting involved in gang behaviour and engage them in positive educational and community-based activities.

Lake Illawarra PCYC will share in more than $2.7 million for 22 clubs across NSW, which includes a new Holden vehicle to help youth case managers work better with young offenders and provides funding for theBack on Trackboxing program for at risk youths.

This is a great program that uses physical activity to combat crime and truancy, with kids training alongside police officers in a 10 week boxing program said Jones.

The officers also act as mentors, helping improve relationships, build community engagement and reduce interaction with the juvenile justice system.

The National Crime Prevention Fund uses money confiscated from criminals to fund community safety infrastructure and youth outreach services such as:

• Grants to local councils for safety infrastructure including closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems and lighting;
• Youth mentoring and outreach programs run by not-for-profit community organisations including Police Citizens Youth Clubs, Blue Light organisations and Father Chris Rileys Youth Off The Streets.