‘The same scallywags’: Kids run amok in mini CBD crime wave

A gang of kids has been charged after allegedly targeting a man with rocks and robbing him of cash before continuing a rampage at Dundees where they emptied cash draws and made off with knives.

CCTV still showing alleged offenders inside the Dundees on the Waterfront restaurant during a separate incident last year. Picture: Supplied

A gang of kids has been charged after allegedly pummelling a man with rocks and robbing him of cash before continuing their rampage at Dundees where they emptied cash draws and made off with knives.

Police allege at 7.30pm on Wednesday five boys chased a man from Spence St while throwing rocks at him.

The 47-year-old man sought refuge at Cairns Central however the youths aged between 13 and 15 pursued the man into the McLeod St shopping centre where they allegedly knocked him to the ground and stole cash and personal items.

Dundee's proprietor Gary Low has his waterfront venue trashed and set alight last year and again was targeted on Wednesday night, allegedly by a group of teens. Picture: Peter Carruthers

The alleged victim was later taken to Cairns Hospital for assessment.

All five boys were charged with one count each of robbery in company with violence.

Police alleged later three of those five youths then headed to Marlin Parade to run amok through the dining precinct.

It’s alleged the boys were part of a group who broke into Dundees on the Waterfront at 3am this morning.

It’s alleged they damaged tables before emptying cash drawers and stealing items, including knives.

The boys have all been charged with enter premises and commit indictable offence and obstructing police.

Fire damage to soft furnishings at Dundees on the Waterfront last year. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Ongoing issues with kids terrorising customers and breaking into tenancies at the Marlin Parade strip led to restaurants funding their own security patrols at a cost of almost $60,000 last year.

Due to a planning anomaly Ollie’s Italian, Dundees, Ochre and the Blu Marlin Bistro are outside the Cairns City Safe patrol zone and the Ports North camera system is not geared toward crime prevention.

It is not suggested the charged boys were part of these incidents.

Ochre proprietor Craig Squire said at meeting with all stakeholders six weeks ago, Mayor Amy Eden gave an assurance that Cairns Regional Council would work with Ports North to fix the security “black spot.”

“There was a commitment to co-operate and the police are patrolling more often,” he said.

“The precinct is a safe dining area, but (the break-ins), go back to the broken (youth justice) system.

Paul Harris has owned the Blu Marlin Bistro at the Cairns Marlin Marina for six years, and has seen crime along the waterfront boardwalk dining precinct increase exponentially in that time. Picture: Brendan Radke.

“We have been working behind the scenes with the council and Ports North to upgrade the security on the boardwalk and we had a successful meeting at the mayor’s instigation.”

But the lack of integration of the 1600 City Safe Cameras and about 200 cameras operated by Ports North has restaurant proprietors frustrated.

“I’m past frustration, if I didn’t drink much before, I’m drinking more now to get over the frustration,” Blu Marlin owner Paul Harris said.

“The only way something is going to happen is if someone dies.

“There is a solution but what is the solution?”

A Cairns Regional Council stated said the release of a strategy to tackle the issue was imminent.

“Council is continuing to work with Ports North to formalise a response to anti-social behaviour in the boardwalk dining area and is expecting to be able to advise businesses in the coming weeks,” a spokeswoman said.

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Originally published as ‘The same scallywags’: Kids run amok in mini CBD crime wave