Central Coast News

The annual awards recognise the outstanding contributions being made across Australia for crime prevention, including the development and implementation of practical projects to reduce violence and other types of crime in the community.

"Our Government firmly believes that all Australians have the right to feel safe and secure, and local initiatives such as the Crime Prevention Awards are one way we can achieve that." said Mr Keenan.

"In 2016, I awarded 15 diverse police and community-led projects with national awards to recognise their success in making our streets safer."

"I encourage all Australians involved in a project that is working towards a safer community or know of a worthy local program that has reduced crime or violence to take the opportunity to nominate by 19 May 2017."

Projects may address specific groups such as rural and remote communities, women, children, youth, family, migrant or ethnic communities, or specific problems such as alcohol-related violence.

The awards are open to any government agency, not-for-profit organisation or individual person making a significant contribution to a project in Australia.

The ACVPA is a joint initiative of the Australian, state and territory governments, coordinated by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) and co-sponsored by the Law, Crime and Community Safety Council.

The projects are assessed each year by the ACVPA Board, which consists of senior law enforcement and justice representatives from each state and territory police service and is chaired by the Director of the AIC.

To apply for this year’s awards visit www.aic.gov.au/acvpa