Crime victims’ doubt on plan

VICTIMS of crime have weighed in on the LNP’S contentious teenage curfew policy, questioning if it would have stopped the kids who stole their cars or wallets.

Seanne Breeding had one of her family cars dumped in a lake and written off after a group of kids broke into their home in August and stole both cars in their driveway.

Her partner’s Ford Falcon was found at the bottom of a lake near Castletown, along with other stolen cars and a scooter.

The mother said repeat offenders would take no notice of the policy, in which children under 14 years would be forced inside before 8pm, and 15 to 17year-olds would not be allowed out after 10pm.

Under a Deb Frecklington government, police would have the power to pick up children and take them to a refuge where they would stay until their parents picked them up.

The parents would then be fined $250, Ms Frecklington proposed on Wednesday.

“It’s a tricky position … because these rules could be put in place and there’s going to be some people that follow it and some people who don’t,” Ms Breeding said.

“Other kids will end up suffering for the wrongdoings of some repeat offenders.”

Another victim, Ainslie Burgess, had her wallet grabbed out of her hand in broad daylight at a shopping centre at the weekend.

The 30-year-old said the rules would make no difference when it came to crimes committed against her, and many others, during the day.

“I can see how they want it to work, but I don’t think it will,” she said. “It will make no difference to people that get attacked during the day.

“They can say to put a curfew on, but that would mean more support staff, more police, and whoever else.”

A police source slammed the policy after it was announced, telling the Bulletin it was a stupid idea that was fraught with danger.

The teenager allegedly involved in the attack on Ms Burgess has been arrested and charged, but one suspect remains at large.

Ms Burgess thought the idea of fining parents or guardians of the children was a great idea, but said the government might struggle to force people to pay.

“Parents don’t care anymore … they’ll just leave their kids at the refuge if they don’t want to pay,” she said.