Pre-teen held on 49 charges as police battle juvi crimewave

Cairns’ top cop has warned the city is in the grip of a significant property crime increase triggered by the release of a core group of recidivist offenders from the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre.

CAIRNS’ top cop has warned the city is in the grip of a significant property crime increase triggered by the release of a core group of recidivist offenders from the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre.

Police recently remanded a 12-year-old in custody after laying 49 charges, another juvenile aged 17 will front 42 charges in the Cairns Childrens Court next week.

Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Hodgman said the effort brought together police resources from plain clothes to uniform sections to monitor youths out on bail. Dog squads and tactical units were deployed to crime hotspots.

And at the moment police had their hands full with young “teams” getting around in stolen cars robbing houses.

“There’s many kids that are out of custody at the moment,” he said.

“And they are forming up little teams to go between towns and cities. And it’s not just Cairns, it’s across to Yarrabah and other places.

“They’re out and about at night and they’ve got nothing else to do. They think it’s cool to go and commit crime.”

However since its launch last year Operation Dryandra has successfully arrested 1174 offenders on 4677 charges – of those offenders arrested, 885 were children. 

The effort brought together police resources from plain clothes to uniform sections to monitor youths out on bail. Dog squads and tactical units were deployed to crime hotspots.

Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Hodgman addresses the media on Operation Dryandra and youth crime in Cairns and the greater region. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Police are prioritising property crime and targeting the top 10 per cent of youths in the area who reoffend.

“I think it’s a valuable investment to have police target these youths,” Acting Chief Supt Hodgman said.

There are currently 31 youths out on bail, but police authorities said most of those youngsters are complying with their conditions.

Acting Chief Supt Hodgman said: “We're checking in every night, sometimes on more than one occasion to make sure they’re abiding by their conditions.”

The Cairns youths posted this image of a stolen car on Instagram were charged.

Suburbs such as Edmonton, Edge Hill and Whitfield have been hit the hardest by youth crime.

Police said kids, who have recently been released from custody, are forming groups that go between towns at night, often in stolen vehicles.

“They’re bored. They’ve got nothing else to do and they think it’s cool to go and commit crimes,” Acting Chief Supt Hodgman said.

The crimes are predominantly property and vehicle related, with young offenders targeting residences between 10pm and 6am.

Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Hodgman said the effort brought together police resources from plain clothes to uniform sections to monitor youths out on bail. Picture: Brendan Radke

Acting Chief Supt Hodgman said: “I think the behaviour is disgusting, normal members of the community should not have to tolerate this behaviour from these kids.”

Queensland Police has urged the community to be proactive in securing their premises and vehicles at night and considering their methods of entry.

“These kids only spend a mere moments at your residence, if they can’t get in they’ll move on,” Acting Chief Supt Hodgman said.

Acting Detective Inspector Kevin Goan said the trend in youth crime has decreased from last year, and on a year to year basis.

“But in the past decade, across the board, no,” he said.

Police are putting the focus on preventive measures to keep local kids away from the justice system. Diversionary programs, a community based crime action committee, and making schools the focal point of communities have successes hailed by Acting Chief Supt Hodgman.

“Many, many hundreds of kids go on to live meaningful lives and contribute to society,” he said.

“Here, we’re just talking about the top 10 per cent of recidivist youths that continue to reoffend.”

Originally published as Pre-teen held on 49 charges as police battle juvi crimewave