Youths clash at DFO
CAIRNS DFO shoppers were shocked to be confronted by up to 20 juveniles throwing rocks, wielding a knife and attacking security guards at the weekend.
A witness described a group aged 10-13 lifting pushbikes above their heads and throwing chairs in an altercation with two centre management security staff about 1.15pm on Sunday at the Coffee Club entrance to the Mulgrave Rd shopping centre.
A shopper at the scene, who asked not to be named, was caught in the middle of the disturbance and became trapped inside the centre until police arrived.
“I tried to get out of the doors, you can’t get involved, if you do you could get stabbed, these are 10-year-olds,” he said.
“Security guards were kicked to the ground and it was extremely dangerous.”
Police confirmed a security officer suffered a minor knee injury and a 14-year-old Westcourt boy had been charged with one count of going armed to cause fear.
Police allege the teen threatened a 12-year-old boy about 1pm at the Westcourt shopping complex before the boy’s friends came to his aid.
A fight broke out between about 10 youths, eight boys and two girls, aged between 10 and 14, police said.
Security officers intervened and police arrived a short time later, taking the boy into custody.
Living in Cairns for 40years, the Manunda resident, shopping at the DFO on Sunday,
said he had never seen anything like it.
“They are just targeting the shopping centres. You can’t go to Raintrees, knife attacks in Cairns Central, the workers at DFO are frightened, this town has got a bad smell,” he said.
“I have never heard anything on this scale here before in Cairns.
“This town has gone to s--and we have three State Government politicians that say nothing and do nothing.
“I have been following with complete disbelief.”
A spokesman of Sentinel it
ABUSE, personal injury and exposure to disease have become part and parcel for staff at a Cairns retail chain for whom juvenile crime has become a daily grind.
The Silly Solly stores in the Cairns CBD, Earlville and Bungalow have become lowhanging fruit for roaming street criminals and juveniles looking to fill their pockets.
Solly’s Steve Watchman said the low cost items carried by the stores made gaining police attention difficult.
Lake Street store co-owner Yuna Hirai alleged she was told by police “don’t bother” reporting a theft for cheap items such as lighters.
The problem is that the average cost for items at the discount chain is $5.
“It is constant,” Mr Watchman said. “Theft is a massive problem that will get worse before it gets better.”
He said brazen shoplifters had become more aggressive and violent since he started business in Cairns in 2006.
“They get abusive because we are watching them,” Mr Watchman said.
He said at least two Solly’s
Property Group, owners of DFO, said the incident was being investigated.
“Fortunately, no shoppers or retail staff were injured. There were two security guards working at the time and they were assisted by police,” he said.
“We will be looking into ways to improve our security presence at the centre and are working with local police to ensure this type of incident does not reoccur.”
The 14-year-old charged on Sunday will be dealt with under the Youth Justice Act 1992. staff had been injured or exposed to disgusting acts by customers – one was spat on and another allegedly suffered a broken jaw at the hands of a 15year-old child.
The theft crisis had seen many victims install security cameras and lights after they had suffered a burglary.
“By the time that happens it’s too late,” security installer and electrician Trent White said. “The damage is done.”
Mr White said preventive measures such as sensor lights, alarms and cameras were effective only if residents acted with common sense.
“A camera isn’t going to return the wallet full of money that was left on the kitchen bench,” he said. “We tell people to be prepared.”
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