New SA Police data reveals extent of youth crime crisis in Port Augusta and Davenport

A troubled SA town is dealing with a youth crime crisis, with more than 100 children arrested – some as young as 10 – and charged with serious offences in the past 12 months.

More than 100 children, including some as young as 10, have been charged with serious criminal offences including assault, arson, affray and drug possession during a youth crime wave in a troubled regional town.

Data released under Freedom of Information laws reveals 121 children aged between 10 and 17 were arrested over a 12-month period from May 2022 to May 2023 in Port Augusta and the nearby Aboriginal community of Davenport.

The figures show the number of children charged increased almost tenfold in the year as locals called for more action on crime.

More than 100 children were arrested an charged with criminal offences in a 12-month period in Port Augusta amid a youth crime spike in the troubled regional town. Picture: Riley Walter

According to the data, 47 children were charged with assault, 16 were charged with affray, 22 were charged with carrying an offensive weapon or an article of disguise and 12 were charged with assaulting a prescribed emergency worker.

Davenport resident Tiger McKenzie said more needed to be done to keep children from slipping into a life of crime.

“It’s not all about locking people up all the time,” Mr McKenzie said.

Mr McKenzie said his home had been broken into 16 times in just more than a year.

“It’s cost us a lot of money,” he said.

It can also be revealed 63 children were charged with dishonestly deal with property without owner’s consent, 46 were charged with driving, using or interfering with a motor vehicle without owner consent, 26 were charged with unlawful possession and 56 were charged with unlawfully being on premises.

Davenport resident Tiger McKenzie said his home had been broken into 16 times in just more than a year. Picture: Dean Martin

As of June 9, 11 children were under police curfews as part of their bail conditions, with 55 charges laid for failing to comply with bail agreements.

The number of children charged in Port Augusta and Davenport has increased since the start of the year, from 22 in January to 30 in May.

The figures come after the The Advertiser revealed Davenport children as young as 10, who claimed to steal cars and break into homes regularly, had formed a self-proclaimed gang dubbed “DPG” or “Davenport Gangsters”.

One boy, 13, was part of a group of teens who drove a stolen car from Port Augusta to Adelaide earlier this year.

Port Augusta mayor Linley Shine said there “appears to be a clear observable trend within the community regarding youth-related criminal activities this year”.

Port Augusta mayor Linley Shine said an increased police presence in the town had seen a “reduction in youth crime incidents over the past few months”. Picture: Dean Martin

“Council has been consistently addressing this issue with the South Australia Police,” Ms Shine said.

Ms Shine said the increased police presence in Port Augusta as part of SA Police’s Operation City Safe in May and June had led to a “reduction in youth crime incidents over the past few months”.

An SA Police spokesman said police were working with the Port Augusta community and stakeholders to “reduce victim reported crime and anti-social behaviour in the community”.

“SAPOL is committed to reducing victim reported crime and anti-social behaviour through continuous engagement and partnerships with key stakeholders, the community and businesses owners,” the spokesman said.