Building Bridges

NSW Police Force reports:

Police and school students in Sydney’s south-west have taken part in an innovative program aimed at breaking down cultural stereotypes and bolstering community relations.

The Stand Tall Project aims to promote harmony between police and Muslim youths in the Bankstown area by dismantling ethnic and religious typecasts and improving communication.

Thirty-four high school students were mentored by 16 officers from Bankstown Local Area Command during the three-day program held in March and April this year.

The program included in-depth discussions on how police and local youths perceive each other, as well as domestic violence, road safety and career development.

Police and students also competed in a friendly indoor soccer match, 10-pin bowling and laser skirmish, and visited Luna Park.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in South-Western Sydney:

Police are appealing for public assistance after two shop attendants were assaulted during a robbery at a convenience store in Sydney’s west last night.

About 10pm, approximately 10 men and youths entered the store on Cumberland Road, Auburn, and took a number of items from the shelves before running towards the exit.

As they were leaving a 23-year-old male employee was punched to the head. A 50-year-old female employee who was attempting to stop them was also assaulted.

The men and youths then ran from the store with two of them leaving on pushbikes.

Police and emergency services were notified and attended a short time later.

NSW Ambulance Paramedics treated the man and woman for minor injuries.

Officers attached to Flemington Local Area Command attended, established a crime scene and canvassed the area.

The men are all described as being of Middle Eastern/Mediterranean appearance and aged between 17 and 21 years.

Nothing a bit more laser-tag and bowling wouldn't fix...