What is community safety
Community safety means people can take part in community life without fear or harm. It includes feeling safe in public spaces, at home, on the roads, and online.
At Knox, community safety is essential to health, wellbeing, and community life.
It connects to the Safe and Connected Communities theme in our Council and Health and Wellbeing Plan 2025–2029.
We work in partnership with local organisations, emergency services, and our community to:
- Build trust and belonging through safer neighbourhoods and inclusive spaces.
- Reduce harm from alcohol, smoking, vaping, and gambling.
- Promote respect and prevent violence in all forms.
- Celebrate diversity and support equity across our community.
- Improve social connection and mental wellbeing through community-led action.
What is Council's role
Council plays an important role in supporting a safe, inclusive and connected Knox community. We work to create environments that help people feel safe, reduce harm and strengthen community wellbeing.
Council’s role includes:
- maintaining welcoming, accessible and well-maintained public spaces.
- enforcing local laws that support neighbourhood safety and amenity.
- applying Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles when planning and upgrading public spaces.
- delivering community programs and campaigns that build inclusion, connection, and wellbeing.
- Working in partnership with Victoria Police and other organisations to address local safety priorities.
- promoting safety messaging through road safety initiatives, including school zone safety programs, School Crossings, Traffic and Transport, and TAC resources.
- supporting family violence prevention through partnerships and the Free From Violence program.
Community safety is a shared responsibility. By working together, Council, community members and partner organisations all play a role in making Knox safer and more connected.
Our current community safety initiatives
Council delivers and supports a range of programs and initiatives that contribute to a safer Knox:
- Graffiti removal
- Public space maintenance
- Waste and litter management
- Community campaigns and events, such as Neighbour Day
- Partnerships with Victoria Police and the Local Safety Committee, including Coffee with a Cop and Safe Plate Day
- Implementation of the Free From Violence Local Government Program
These initiatives help prevent harm, support safer environments, and build stronger community connections across Knox.
We list upcoming sessions and activities on our Events page, so it’s easy to stay involved and informed.
How to report and who to contact
If you need to report something or get help, the best contact depends on the situation.
In an emergency, always call 000.
Reporting to Victoria Police
- Report a crime: Victoria Police
- Non-urgent matters: Police Assistance Line 131 444
- Use this for issues like property damage, lost property, minor theft, and non-urgent crime.
- Report anonymously: Crime Stoppers Victoria
Other contacts
- Local Laws – issues such as parking, animals, noise, fire prevention, and local enforcement
- Safety and emergencies - issues such as short-term support, extreme heat, noise and water pollution, syringes and needles, and graffiti
- Family violence
- Child safety
- Housing and homelessness
- Council Visual Surveillance Policy
Your safety: tips and prevention
At home and in your neighbourhood
- Lock your home and vehicle. Learn more from Victoria Police about motor vehicle theft and home and property safety.
- Don’t leave valuables in your car.
- Keep entrances visible and avoid heavy overgrowth.
- Report damage, graffiti or broken assets to Council. Visit our graffiti and syringes and needles pages for more information on when and how to report.
- Use CPTED principles when improving your home’s layout and outdoor areas – learn more from Community Crime Prevention Victoria.
- Connect with your neighbours — strong connections build safer streets.
- Learn about Neighbourhood Watch. While Knox doesn’t currently have an active group, you can visit Neighbourhood Watch Victoria to find out more.
On our roads
- Slow down in school zones.
- Look out for school crossing supervisors and follow their instructions.
- Use TAC resources to learn more about road safety and safer behaviours.
Local laws in Knox
Local laws help keep our city safe, clean, and enjoyable for everyone.
They cover areas such as:
- parking and road safety
- animal management
- fire prevention
- noise and amenity
- unsightly properties and waste.
Learn more on our Local laws page.
Need help?
Contact us and we will get back to you.
Or call our Community Strengthening team on 9298 8000.
