Acts of wilful damage and vandalism reported in Hervey Bay and Maryborough

Shocking security footage show the true depth of the teen crime crisis in the Wide Bay where businesses are being relentlessly targeted. One business owner is calling for community action.

Fraser Coast Councillor Paul Truscott has also been vocal in his concerns about vandalism and destructive behaviour in the region, sharing a video of young offenders kicking a light bollard in Maryborough.

A Hervey Bay business owner is calling for community action after a spate of break-ins and acts of vandalism involving young people on the Fraser Coast in recent months.

A teenager smashed his way into Gwen and Richard Watt’s optometry business earlier this month, causing considerable damage.

At the time, Mr Watt said the couple were left feeling angry that “nothing comes of this’ and wanted to see police and the courts have more power to punish young culprits.
Dozens of other businesses have also been targeted, with children as young as 14 and 15 charged in recent weeks.

Mrs Watt said on her social media it was time for the community to band together and has suggested a meeting where solutions and ideas can be discussed.

“Currently police and the courts can only slap on the wrist and let go, only for the culprits to reoffend over and over,” she said.

Richard Watt and his wife Gwen had stopped by their shop on Main St, Hervey Bay on their way to church Sunday morning when they realised the front glass door had been shattered.

“It’s time we came together and be a united voice to get legislation changed.”

Other business owners have also shared footage and images of crimes committed against them.

At Hairganics, CCTV of an early morning break-in was shared on social media after an offender smashed a door and took an empty cash drawer.

At Hairganics, CCTV of an early morning break-in was shared on social media.

Replenish Refill was forced to close its doors for a couple of days after a break-in this week.

Products were stolen and thrown on the floor, with glass windows and doors at the business smashed to gain entry.

“They also took our store phone so we will only be available by email for a few days,” the post read.

Replenish Refill was forced to close its doors for a couple of days after a break-in this week.

It comes as a 17 year old boy was charged with two counts of burglary, one count of attempted enter dwelling with intent and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Police will allege the boy attended various locations in Scarness, Torquay and Point Vernon and broke into dwellings, then stole a car.

A 14-year-old boy was charged on Tuesday with break and enter offences committed in the Hervey Bay CBD.

The arrest relates to a number of alleged offences where businesses in Pialba and Urraween were broken into and had items stolen between September 18 and 20.

The boy has been charged with six counts of enter premises and commit indictable offence and will appear in the Hervey Bay Children’s court at a later date.

Fraser Coast Councillor Paul Truscott has also been vocal in his concerns about vandalism and destructive behaviour in the region.

On September 10, a tree was planted to commemorate the 100ths anniversary of the Elizabeth Park Rose Gardens.

Just a week later, the sapling was pulled out of the ground and tossed aside.

A tree planted to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Elizabeth Park Rose Gardens was uprooted in one act of vandalism.

Cr Truscott was contacted by a fellow citizen and he went to the site and replanted the tree.

“Thankfully the tree itself wasn’t damaged,” he said.

“But what really disappoints me is that some people think this behaviour is okay.

“It’s not.”

Cr Truscott said it wasn’t just about a tree.

“It’s about respect, for yourself and others.

“It’s about pride in our city and region. It’s about honour.”

Just days later, Cr Truscott posted again – this time sharing CCTV footage of a group of youths kicking and damaging the bollard street lights in Maryborough’s CBD.

“This vandalism costs us all,” Cr Truscott said.

According to Cr Truscott, a conservative estimate based on figures from a few years ago, was that in excess of half a million dollars of ratepayers’ money went into repairing acts of vandalism.

“Imagine if we didn’t have to do that and could use the money in more community grants, or any other worthy activity?”

The damage done to a bollard in Bazaar Street, Maryborough.