An interim report into regional youth crime has recommended that the NSW government prioritise locally-managed and delivered intervention programs for young people at risk of offending.

The report, released on 29 May by the Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety, probes the drivers of youth crime and made 19 recommendations including "sustained investment in targeted, place-based early intervention programs," including for young women.

"Overwhelmingly, the evidence tells us that early intervention is the most effective way to prevent young people from engaging in criminal behaviour," committee chair Edmond Atalla said in the report.

"We must be guided by what the evidence tells us works.

"Tough-on-crime approaches may seem appealing, but they won't deliver lasting change for communities – smart, evidence-based strategies will."

The report recommended that the government prioritise funding for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to deliver early intervention for First Nations youth.

It also found that a lack of coordination between organisations providing programs for at-risk young people can lead to "critical" support gaps. 

Walgett Police Station. The inquiry held hearings in Bourke, Broken Hill last year. IMAGE: Western Plains App

It said the government should help to map services in rural communities to find and fill gaps.

The Safer Coonamble Group (SCG) made a submission to the Inquiry, calling for more accountability from funded agencies saying they are tired of 'ghost services' who are largely absent on the ground but continue to attract funding.

SCG president Dennis Glover welcomed the recommendation on community-led programs, although he said much of the report's content is old news.

"I think they already know their problems. They've already identified their problems. This is rehashing old things. They should have had them written down by now," Mr Glover said.

"Every town is totally different, and run different. So, you need to have control of your own programs.

"Everyone goes into the same funding pool and everyone's fighting for the same thing, but you might get ten organisations in the one town that are trying to do the same thing. We need to all work together."

The government is due to respond to the report by 29 November 2025.

The Far West and Orana region, which includes most Western Plains shires, generally sees higher rates for serious offences than the NSW average.

NSW police minister Yasmin Catley said police have been tackling regional youth offending through Operation Soteria, which launched in March 2025.

"Not only does Soteria target offending, it also has a strong emphasis on the diversion," Minister Catley said during Parliamentary Question Time on the same day as the report's release.

"We’re also continuing to roll out important justice reinvestment grants to fund programs that keep kids away from the criminal justice system.

"We know there’s more to do – we’re not blind to the challenges. This is difficult work, and we are committed to making sure communities feel safe."

The parliamentary inquiry was established in early 2024 and is slated to release its final report by early 2026.