GOVERNMENT agencies have moved to address a spike in complaints about antisocial behaviour in a West Dubbo neighbourhood.
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Representatives conducted a doorknock of the area following recent media reports about gangs of children armed with slingshots vandalising property and firing at birds they then kicked and beat to death as wounded animals tried to escape.
Family and Community Services (FACS) senior project officer Danielle Chapman said Community Services, Housing NSW, Dubbo City Council and police representatives took part in the doorknock, which set off from Dubbo West Public School on Friday morning.
"It's about highlighting ways community members who have concerns about children at risk or observe young people acting out can talk to us," she said.
"That's not just aimed at social housing tenants but anyone in the community."
She said the agencies involved could not investigate or act if people did not report incidents to them.
"Something that's become evident is that people aren't sure how to make a report and how to make a good report, whether it be to police or about housing or truancy," she said.
Leaflets containing numbers to call for various complaints and providing guidelines about what information that should be gathered prior to making the report were handed out to residents during the doorknock.
They also contained information about how residents might identify suspected incidents of animal cruelty, what the penalties were and how they might report it.
"We've also contacted the RSPCA and will try to work with them to incorporate one of their existing educational campaigns and target it for children to deliver locally," Ms Chapman said.
She said while the agencies tried to carry out the doorknocks at least once per quarter, they did so more frequently if required.
"They are a regular event, but if we start to notice a trend, theme or particular area of concern we'll try to coordinate something in response to that," Ms Chapman said, adding that a similar initiative had taken place in Orange.
Kerry McDermott from Housing NSW said school holidays were traditionally a time when reports to various agencies spiked.
"We want to support family connection but residents are being reminded about the rules that apply for visitors (to social housing properties)," she said.
Any information would be followed up on in the strictest confidence, Ms Chapman said.
