Over 50 people gathered in Walgett yesterday, Tuesday 1 July, to chart the way forward on local youth crime after four teenagers were arrested and charged in relation to an attack on a locum doctor last week.

Community members joined representatives from the local schools, hospital, service providers, Aboriginal community groups and Walgett Shire Council to probe what they can do to keep community safe and keep young people out of jail.

The meeting was called by Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service, the Walgett Community Working Party and the Walgett Cultural and Community Aboriginal Corporation.

AMS CEO Christine Corby told the meeting that safety concerns are making it harder to keep medical professionals.

"Home invasions, abuses. You name it, we've had it," she said.

"This is not the first time a doctor has been abused. This is not the first time a nurse has been abused. This is not the first time our local Aboriginal people, local non Aboriginal people, employees, have been abused to high heaven."

AMS CEO Christine Corby. IMAGE: River McCrossen

The gathering occurred at Walgett Sporting Club, with attendees endorsing plans to organise talks with young residents to figure out their needs, as well as establishing a committee to find strategies to deal with youth crime.  

There was a strong push to involve the town's young people directly in the conversations.

"We're all talking about what we think they should want. Let's go back to them and go 'listen, how can we help you? What do you need?' We mightn't be able to fix it, but at least give them a voice," Walgett-based police inspector Craig Jordan said.

"We're all talking about them and they're probably talking about us, so let them have their say."

Inspector Jordan suggested that any consultation be community-driven for better outcomes.

"It wouldn't be a police-driven thing because as soon as we get involved, there'll be an element that won't want to be involved."

 NSW Police Inspector Inspector Craig Jordan. IMAGE: River McCrossen

Over about one-and-a-half hours, residents took part in an emotional - and at times heated - debate covering social media, drug use, parental responsibility and night-time services.

A panel with representatives from police, the local council and Barwon MP Roy Butler's office also took questions.

One of them was the council's Interim General Manager Andrew Brown, who has a background as a rural crime researcher with the University of New England.

He warned against assigning blame for youth crime.

"Saying that it's the parents, it's the kids, doesn't actually solve the problem," he said.

"We need to go back to social and developmental crime prevention, and we know that things like education, we know that things like health care, we know that things like activities are really important.

"Council, obviously, is not the leader when it comes to a lot of this. We're a support agency.

"We're happy to be here to help. So with Roy Butler's support, we can do some of this stuff. We can get the programs."

The council currently run a free youth centre on Pitt Street, which Mr Brown said they are open to operating on some weeknights to give young people a place to spend time at night.

However, he said funding and staffing are a barrier, and that Roy Butler's office can help secure financial support to operate the facility.

One of the community members at the meeting was Noreen Ward, who said she wants to see more support services for parents dealing with children at risk of entering the juvenile justice system.

"Getting everyone to being more on the same wavelength, the same level, that's a good outcome," Ms Ward said.

"It's a work in progress but we'll get there as a community."