Clock ticking before joyrides turn fatal, top cop says
A top cop fears it is only a matter of time before someone is killed on a Palmerston North road due to joyriding car thieves.
In the past four weeks more than 100 vehicles have been stolen across the city, and the number of cars left abandoned and the makes and models targeted indicate young people are the main culprits.
A joyride may seem exciting in the moment, but there were real consequences for the victims of car thefts and the danger posed to the community, police area prevention manager Inspector Ross Grantham said.
Tyson O’Neill, 16, was killed when the car he was driving crashed into a tree on Cobham Drive, in Wellington, on November 2020.
He had stolen the vehicle and was on his way to pick up a friend. He had not been taught how to drive.
Grantham feared Palmerston North could expect to experience the same heartache.
‘‘The driving behaviour of these young people puts them at tremendous risk. The evasive action they take when police signal for the car to pull over and stop is outrageous, risking everyone’s lives.
‘‘Unless we as a community can modify the behaviour of these young people, I fear we will again experience this unnecessary loss.’’
Police have made several arrests following the spate of thefts and some young people have appeared in Youth Court.
However, Grantham viewed this as the least positive outcome for young offenders. Officers were working hard to prevent this behaviour escalating to prosecution where possible. ‘‘Every time a car is stolen, there is a victim in our community. Some of these victims cannot afford to insure their car, their only means of transport, and so a selfish act for fun has a devastating effect on a family.’’
Grantham urged the community to work together to make joyriding less attractive to potential thieves.
He implored car owners to use a steering lock. They were relatively cheap and would help to deter thieves.
‘‘If you can afford it, have a car alarm or immobiliser installed so we can restrict young people’s access to cars.’’
Parents were encouraged to talk to their children about the finality of consequences their joyrides could have.