Crime Down During WYD Sydney

July 23 2008 > Crime down during WYD: NSW Minister
Crime down during WYD: NSW Minister

New South Wales Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione says that Sydney's crime rate during the World Youth Day week was the lowest it has been in a long time.

Zenit reports Mr Scipione attributed the drop to the presence of the
pilgrims and a general "sense of spirituality" in the air. He told Sky
News that extra police forces on hand seemed almost unnecessary, since the pilgrims were well-mannered and well-behaved.

Zenit also quotes Sydney Cardinal Pell as saying that the standing of the Catholic Church has been raised as a result of the success of World Youth Day. Cardinal Pell told reporters the public will be more ready to realise "that we Catholics have something to say on (life) subjects and will potentially give us a respectful hearing."

"This World Youth Day has demonstrated that the great majority of
Australians are quite open to what we have to say," he said.