Residents who gathered in Dee Why to discuss youth crime and anti-social behaviour were encouraged to report incidents directly to police rather than sharing videos and photos on social media, with senior officers warning that online attention can sometimes reinforce harmful behaviour.
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The community safety forum, held at Dee Why Surf Life Saving Club on 21 July, brought together local residents, police and community representatives to discuss concerns including groups of young e-bike riders, shop thefts, and other anti-social incidents that residents have raised on community social media.
The meeting was organised by Wakehurst independent MP Michael Regan following concerns raised by residents about youth-related incidents across the Northern Beaches. Around 50 people attended the forum, where police sought to address both public concerns and perceptions about local crime.
Northern Beaches Police Commander Superintendent John Duncan told attendees that, despite the attention some incidents have received online and in the media, crime rates across the peninsula have generally been trending down.
He encouraged residents who witness criminal or suspicious behaviour to report it directly to police rather than posting footage on social media, reiterating that incidents should be reported directly to police.
Why police want incidents reported, not shared
Police also highlighted emerging evidence suggesting that sharing videos showing anti-social behaviour can encourage some young people seeking recognition or attention online.
NSW Police Youth Command and Crime Prevention Commander Superintendent Phil Hallinan told the forum that social media can sometimes amplify negative behaviour, particularly among young people searching for a sense of identity or online validation.
He said repeatedly sharing videos or photos of anti-social behaviour, even with good intentions, may unintentionally encourage copycat behaviour by giving those involved increased visibility. Instead, he urged residents to report incidents to police so they can be investigated through the appropriate channels.
Police also shared figures relating to youth offending on the Northern Beaches. Superintendent Hallinan said only 15 of the 1,009 children currently on bail across New South Wales live on the Northern Beaches, describing the area’s share of serious youth offending as comparatively low.
Police said the number of young people involved in serious offending on the Northern Beaches remained comparatively low despite community concerns.
The forum covered several issues residents have raised in recent months, including intimidating behaviour linked to groups of e-bike riders, thefts from bottle shops and supermarkets, vandalism of golf courses and sports fields, and assaults involving young people.
Superintendent Duncan said police had recently completed a two-day Operation Ripcord campaign targeting local crime priorities. The operation focused on offences including thefts from supermarkets and bottle shops, as well as follow-up action relating to domestic violence matters.
He also said domestic violence, cybercrime, online scams and sextortion remain among the biggest risks facing the community.
Crime trends remain below state average
Official crime statistics released separately show some offence categories have fallen while others have increased. Figures from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research for the 12 months to March 2026 show the Northern Beaches local government area recorded crime levels below the NSW average across a range of offence categories.
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Compared with the previous year, reported incidents of shop theft, assaults, burglaries, assaults on police and stealing from motor vehicles all declined.
However, the data also showed increases in domestic violence-related assault, motor vehicle theft, and stalking and intimidation offences.
The discussion combined residents’ concerns with police updates and the latest crime statistics for the area. Police encouraged residents to report offences directly to police instead of sharing them on social media, saying this was the most appropriate way to respond to criminal behaviour.
Published 31-July-2026
