Redfern shows plunge in crime

House prices in the area rose by 38 per cent between 2005 and 2009, climbing 12 per cent in 2009 alone despite the global financial crisis, Premier Kristina Keneally says.

Robbery offences committed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander juveniles fell 80 per cent between 2008 and 2009, while other crime rates fell significantly.

Ms Keneally said Redfern and neighbouring Waterloo were now being "transformed" by a range of new strategies, including more effective policing, which could be used to improve other disadvantaged areas of the state.

Speaking at former champion boxer Tony Mundine's Redfern gym on Monday, Ms Keneally also said new jobs were being created and the number of young people in training positions had risen.

Police Minister Michael Daley praised local police, saying a better relationship between officers and the local Aboriginal community was one of the reasons for the falling crime rates.

Motor vehicle theft fell 30 per cent between 2008 and 2009 and robbery without a weapon fell 27.6 per cent.

Ms Keneally did not specifically mention the infamous riots, sparked on the evening of February 14, 2004, by the death of a 17-year-old indigenous Australian, Thomas Hickey.

Mr Hickey died after becoming impaled on a fence while riding his bike. Some locals claimed police were chasing him at the time, and about 50 police officers were hurt during the ensuing violence.

Ms Keneally said local police were getting good results from working more closely with the community.

"These are great figures that show our policing approach, working with the community, developing strong relationships with the local community, particularly local young people, are producing very good results," she told reporters on Monday.

Government figures show the median house price in Redfern increased 38 per cent from $547,000 to $757,000 between 2005 and 2009.

Waterloo saw a 22 per cent increase from $483,000 to $591,000 in the same period.

Redfern Police Local Area Commander Luke Freudenstein admitted police still needed to tackle the number of assaults occurring in Redfern and Waterloo.

But he agreed with Mr Daley that there was now greater cohesion between police and the local Aboriginal community.

The targeting of drug dealers in the area was among the reasons for the drop in crime, Superintendent Freudenstein added.

Source: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/redfern-shows-plunge-in-crime-20100215-o0ln.html