Speaking at a forum in Sydney today, Superintendent Gavin Dengate said police are determined to make Australia a safer place for young people from overseas.
He said racist attacks put families off considering sending their children to Australia.
"We can't change their minds before they get here, although we're trying, through some social media, to show what the NSW Police are about," Superintendent Dengate said.
The gathering brought together student representatives, the City of Sydney Council, state government and police.
NSW Police Superintendent Bernie Ryan said the problem was broad.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"It's not necessarily that being a victim of crime is the biggest issue that I'm seeing," he said.
"It's the social behaviour, and people feeling unsafe."
Many students told SBS that travelling on public transport at night was their biggest concern.
Watch the full report in the video player above.
