Premier Chris Minns today announced new funding to extend BackTrack's Night Crew program, a successful community-led initiative that supports young people and addresses youth crime on the ground in Armidale.
The NSW Government is providing BackTrack Youth Works with $120,000 from the Premier's
Discretionary Fund (PDF). Part of the Minns Labor Government's ongoing work to build a safer New
South Wales, the one-off grant will cover staffing and operational costs to continue delivery of the
Night Crew program.
BackTrack provides wraparound support and early intervention to help disengaged young people
get back on track - building literacy, numeracy, life skills and employability, while supporting them
to plan for their future.
The Night Crew program targets night-time youth crime in Armidale by engaging, supporting, and
diverting at-risk youth away from the streets between 8pm and 7am. By offering practical help and
positive alternatives, the program is reducing crime and keeping the local community safe.
Developed with young emerging leaders, Armidale Neighbourhood Watch, local police and NSW
Police, Night Crew has already shown strong results, with its 12-week pilot leading to a significant
drop in stolen vehicles, break-ins and related offences.
This additional funding will allow BackTrack to extend the program and continue addressing the
immediate needs of at-risk young people - including providing meals, clothing, transport and
pathways away from crime - while strengthening community safety in regional NSW.
This is part of the Minns Labor Government's ongoing work to address regional youth crime, which
has included:
- Amending the Bail Act to include an additional bail test for young people between 14 and 18
charged with committing a 'serious break and enter offence' or motor vehicle offence while
on bail for a similar offence.
- Creating a new 'post and boast' offence under the Crimes Act, criminalising the filming and
disseminating of footage of certain serious offences to publicise or advertise the commission
of that offence.
- A review of doli incapax, the legal presumption of incapacity to understand wrongdoing for
children aged under 14, currently underway.
While there is much more to be done, the September Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research
Report suggests there has been some progress.
In the two years to July 2025 property-related offences in regional NSW have dropped 8.9 per cent.
Further, crimes like break and enters, robbery, stealing from cars and malicious damage have all
decreased by at least 7 per cent.
More information on the Premier's Discretionary Fund, including its eligibility and assessment
criteria, is available online at www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/premiers-discretionary-funding
NSW Premier Chris Minns said:
"The team at BackTrack work tirelessly with regional communities and are focused on implementing
practical responses to supporting local young people in need.
"Programs like Night Crew show the difference early intervention and local leadership can make in
reducing youth crime and giving young people a real chance at a better future."
Acting Minister for Police Ryan Park said:
"Programs like BackTrack's Night Crew show how powerful community-driven solutions can be in
guiding young people in our regions. We're proud to stand behind initiatives that make a real and
lasting difference on the ground.
"Every day, police are working to build stronger relationships with communities, but we recognise
that trust doesn't always begin with a uniform. Sometimes it starts with local people who
understand, connect and care in ways police cannot.
"That's why we back this work wholeheartedly - work that isn't just responding after something has
gone wrong but also preventing it before it happens."
Acting Minister for Youth Justice Anoulack Chanthivong said:
"Young people in NSW deserve opportunities to contribute to their community, and through
initiatives like BackTrack, we are working to reduce youth crime and make regional areas safer."
"Our government will continue to support proven programs and community-led initiatives, like Night
Crew, which help to divert young people onto a more positive pathway."
BackTrack CEO Marcus Watson said:
"We welcome this funding and congratulate the Government for its ongoing commitment to
addressing the issue of crime among young people in rural NSW, by supporting successful
community-led solutions.
"This funding is in direct response to a highly successful government-funded pilot program which
led to a significant reduction in crime among young people in Armidale - keeping our local
community and young people safe at night, when they are most vulnerable."
BackTrack Founder Bernie Shakeshaft said:
"With the support of the NSW Government, and BackTrack's co-funding we are hopeful that Night
Crew can continue to operate well into the future, providing a sustained solution to youth crime and
disengagement.
"The power and effectiveness of the Night Crew lies in young people with lived experience leading
the way and being embedded in the community. They're reaching the really hard to reach kids
because they know what it takes to create connection, and build trust and a sense of belonging."
