Vicious crime cycle

IMAGINE a criminal — with more than 100 previous charges to his name — goes on a crime spree shortly after being released from incarceration.

Imagine the crim, with a history of offences including car theft, aggravated burglary and failing to comply with bail, is finally arrested after a policeman draws his gun on him and his four accomplices.

When he finally fronts court, authorities hear his latest spree included involvement in the theft of three cars and almost running over a police officer.

Such a threat to the safety of both police and community couldn’t possible get bail, right? Wrong. Now imagine that same criminal is a 16-year-old who police describe as one of Geelong’s “most active youth offenders”, and the story becomes the frightening reality for local law enforcers who are fed up with having to chase down criminals who reoffend while on bail.

In the real case scenario, not only was the boy released on bail, but police were forced to get an arrest warrant after he failed to show up for that court appearance in December. Hardly a shock, then, when he was picked up for his involvement in a high speed police chase from Geelong to Melboune on January 1.

“We are forever arresting youth offenders for crimes that risk the safety of the community only to watch them walk back out the doors of the police station hours later,” one frustrated police officer said.

The State Government was under fire last week over its child bail laws after a teenager accused of trying to mow down Melbourne pedestrians received bail.

Police Minister Lisa Neville last Thursday said that Geelong would benefit from tougher bail laws to be passed in the coming months.

Meanwhile, police, young offenders and the wider community are trapped in a vicious cycle.

“It makes a mockery of what we are employed to do: to protect and serve,” the officer told our reporter.

We couldn’t agree more.