Nearly a dozen people arrested as Port Augusta grapples with crime crisis

In a bid to crack down on violence to restore peace and safety in Port Augusta, a large group of people – including two boys – have been arrested for a series of offences.

In a bid to crack down on violence to restore peace and safety in Port Augusta, a large group of people – including two boys – have been arrested for a series of offences.

Port Augusta patrols attended to multiple incidences last week, after a series of disturbances within the town.

After a thorough investigation, 11 people aged between 14 and 38 years old were arrested for multiple offences.

Of those arrested, two were 14-year-old boys who were charged with assault and affray.

Three were 16-year-old boys, who were charged with affray, while two more 16-year-old boys were also charged with affray as well as aggravated assault and throw missile.

There has been a spike in youth crime in Port Augusta. These local kids claim not to be involved in any crime, but are aware of some that are. Picture Dean Martin

One 17-year-old boy was charged with two counts of affray, while another 18-year-old was charged with three counts of the same offence.

A 20-year-old man was charged with carrying an offensive weapon and affray, while a 38-year-old woman was charged with two counts of aggravated cause of harm and affray.

The teenagers will be appearing in the Port Augusta Youth Court on May 8, while the male and female adults will appear at the Port Augusta Magistrates Court on May 10.

The Acting Far North LSA Operations Inspector, Russell Morgan said the police officers in Port Augusta will continue to “preserve the peace to make for a safe community.”

“Port Augusta Police remain committed to upholding the law,” Mr Morgan said, “The behaviour displayed will not be tolerated.”

There has been a spike in youth crime in Port Augusta. Young kids apparently roaming the streets, sometimes until the early hours of the morning. Picture Dean Martin

According to the South Australian Criminal Law Consolidation ACT 1935, an ‘affray’ offence is committed when “a person uses or threatens unlawful violence towards another,”

“and whose conduct would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for his or her personal safety.”

Those found guilty of a ‘basic affray offence’ could face up to three years in prison, while those found guilty of an ‘aggravated affary offence’ could face up to five years in prison.

Earlier this week, students at Port Augusta Secondary School spoke to The Advertiser about the disturbing levels of “violence and dysfunction,” which were amplified by a “racial divide” on the school grounds.