Barwon MP Roy Butler has called for the NSW government to trial a review of existing youth services in Coonamble, Bourke, Walgett and Brewarrina shires.

Mr Butler said there are services which receive government funding but don't deliver effectively in his electorate and leave service gaps in the towns.

Despite a recorded 12 per cent reduction in regional youth crime over the last two years he says there is a high fear of crime in communities across the Barwon electorate.

"People in small towns all know someone who's been impacted by crime, whether it's an aggravated home invasion to take car keys or some other form of assault," he said in parliament.

"Everyone knows someone who's been impacted, and that makes it much more real that the threat exists for them too.

"So what we've got to try and do is get these young people out of the revolving door of getting picked up by the police, going to court and then either being bailed or being sentenced.

Reported motor vehicle thefts over the two years up to June 2025. 'N.c' indicates rates that the BOCSAR did not calculate in their data release. [SOURCE: BOCSAR]

"Serious offenses, no question, they need custody.

"But for minor offenses, we've really got to try and put those kids on a different path, and that needs to be done in a way that is bespoke, unique to the community and owned by the community."

Overall crime rates have largely either dipped or remained stable in local shires over the two years to June 2025, according the latest quarterly data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR).

In the Far West and Orana region, the number of 10 to 17-year-olds police took to court for vehicle theft and break and enter dropped between about 58 and 65 per cent.

A service review is one of the items Mr Butler put to Premier Chris Minns in a meeting in Sydney with a delegation from the four shires on Tuesday 28 October.

“For years, I have been calling for a review of youth services in Barwon to identify exactly where the gaps are in youth service delivery,” Mr Butler said.

“With strict supervision, regulatory oversight, community, Police and Local Government involvement, we can start addressing the very complex issue of anti-social behaviour and youth offending."

Mr Butler also called for the government to introduce a trial of court-ordered attendance to residential programs across the four shires.

Both proposals received the backing of local mayors from Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble and Walgett.

The ball is now in the Premier's court.