Top cop focus on youth issue| 17 May 12 @ 08:02am

REDUCING youth crime and working with the local Asian community is the focus for new North Shore police commander, Superintendent Rob Critchlow.

The 42-year-old upper north shore father of two, took up his new position at Chatswood police station last month.

His objective is to tackle youth crime and reduce the incidence of youth violence and anti-social behaviour, theft, graffiti and domestic violence.

Next month, Supt Critchlow will oversee a forum aimed at developing strategies on how to reduce youth crime.

The forum will include senior police, school and youth liaison police officers, youth workers and representatives from Lane Cove and Willoughby Councils and non-government agencies.

Supt Critchlow said the forum will offer solutions on how the police and community can combat and address youth-related crime.

``When I arrived I became aware that the issue of young people committing offences were inordinately represented in our statistics,’’ he said.

``This becomes a concern for the community and I felt it was essential to get a clear understanding of those factors affecting that type of crime.’‘

Prior to joining North Shore police, Supt Critchlow worked with the National Crime Authority and State Crime Command’s Asian, drug and gang squads

He has dealt with Asian crime gangs in other areas of Sydney and doesn’t believe there are any gangs operating in Chatswood.

``It’s not an issue here, but I’m not saying there are none,’’ he said.

``I just want to encourage members of the Asian community who are victims of organised crime activity to report it to police.’’