​Online scammers, mental health issues and domestic violence are just some of the safety concerns that are heightened across the state due to COVID lockdowns.

The City of Canterbury Bankstown’s annual Community Safety Expo has gone online to help keep community members and their loved ones safe during this period.

What is usually a day full of live demonstrations at Bankstown Central, is this year a fortnight jam-packed with online workshops to provide residents with the information and tools to increase their safety and wellbeing.

Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour said he’s pleased to see Council educate community members on the potential risks that go hand in hand with lockdown.

“After last year’s lockdown, we saw domestic violence-related offences rise by seven per cent,” Mayor Asfour said.

“The workshops provided under the new Community Safety Campaign aim to mitigate the risks of such crimes by providing residents with practical strategies to protect themselves and connecting them with organisations that provide support.”

The Community Safety Campaign will run until Saturday 9 October. There is a wide variety of workshops available that cover topics including:

• Scam and fraud awareness;
• Maintaining healthy relationships;
• Learn, connect and play safely online;
• Personal safety as a woman; and
• Fire safety, and much more.

“I’m thrilled to see a number of community organisations jump on board to help in delivering these events and keeping our community safe,” Mayor Asfour said.

“The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) will join us in the Scam and Fraud Awareness workshop to provide tips on how residents can protect themselves from future and current scams.

“And Surf Life Saving NSW will be delivering our Beach and Ocean Safety presentation to help participants prepare for warmer weather. This comes at a good time as our pools are opening back up and as hopefully, in the next coming weeks or months, we can commence trips to the beach again.”

All events are free, and registrations are essential. See the full list of workshops, and to register, visit cb.city/SafetyCampaign