KIDS DRIVE CRIME SPREE
Top cop’s tough message to parents of offenders aged 10-14
SHOCKING police figures reveal the 10-14 year age group is helping to drive an unprecedented spike in car crime and Deputy Commissioner Paul Taylor says “boredom” is no excuse.
THE number of charges laid over stolen cars in Cairns has doubled in just three years, being spurred on by a spiralling number of boys as young as 10 getting involved in crime.
Shocking police figures reveal the 10-14 year age group is in the midst of an unprecedented spike – up 50 per cent since 2016, while the number of juvenile girls involved has grown 30 per cent in the same period.
The figures, taken from the Cairns Property Crime Squad, come as the city faces its worst single month for car thefts in recent history with around 90 vehicles stolen in February.
Most recently, a 13-year-old Mooroobool boy was charged on Thursday with four counts each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and burglary and one count of trespass linked to offences in Redlynch, Parramatta Park, Edge Hill, Gordonvale and Whitfield over the past week.
Police said last month the high figures were partly due to a cohort of about six “priority offenders” who were motivating others to commit crimes.
Newly appointed Deputy Commissioner Paul Taylor said trying to blame “boredom” for the rising crime rates was “just a cop-out”.
“I wish I was a kid these days, there’s never been more programs and sports available,” he said.
“There is no excuse whatsoever for young people saying they’re bored and that’s why they turned to this activity.”
He said parents and guardians of recidivist youths were just as culpable.
“Sadly and extremely frustratingly for us these parents and guardians are not providing the care, love and attention these kids need.
“That’s not an excuse.
“But these kids put themselves and other people at risk and sadly some kids have died (while committing offences).
“Their parents have then stood up talking about how much they loved their child.
“I challenge them to show that love before something happens. You need to take a good look at yourself because you’re as much of the problem as your child.”
Deputy Commissioner Taylor, who revealed he had also been the victim of a break-in several years ago, said trying to get parents or guardians to pay for their child’s damage or theft was also difficult as they often had no means to do so.
“And a lot of the time these kids don’t even know where their parents or guardians are,” he said.
He said the trend of youths as young as 10 who were “flat out seeing over the steering wheel” getting involved in car thefts was “worrying”, as was the over-representation of indigenous youths.
Partnerships with other government and non-government agencies was key, he said, along with the community.
“We cannot do it ourselves, it’s a battle we cannot win,” he said. “We’ve got to join up with anyone and everyone we can.”
Far North police Det Insp Jason Smith said last year the Property Crime Squad arrested 712 offenders on 4075 charges. He said police solved 47 per cent of car thefts and 27 per cent of break-ins which is around the state average.