Youth violence in western Sydney: Blacktown epicentre of teenage attacks

Over the past year, youth violence has been plastered all over the news as brawls, stabbings and deaths hit the headlines in Sydney’s west. Take a look at the horrific incidents in recent times.

Sydney’s western suburbs has become the epicentre of youth violence, with teenagers brutally left for dead following mindless acts of brutality across the past 12 months.

Brawls, stabbings and deaths have been linked to “postcode wars”, with young thugs unleashing acts of violence to build a reputation, causing western Sydney families to live in fear.

Tributes left the Doonside home where Jason Galleghan was tragically killed. Picture: Jonathan Ng

In the year to September 2021, Blacktown recorded the highest rate of juvenile assaults in the state, according to data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research.

There were 360 recorded incidents of assault committed by juveniles in the Blacktown area alone in the year to September 2021. In comparison, the LGA with the second highest recorded instances was the Central Coast with 233, followed by Coffs Harbour with 109 and Canterbury-Bankstown with 85.

Even more alarmingly, Blacktown has recorded the highest number of assaults by juveniles in the state every year for the past six years.

In more recent times, the Blacktown area has had a steep rise in juvenile incidents of weapons offences, with 43 incidents recorded in the year to September 2021.

That rate is the highest recorded in the Blacktown LGA over the past 10 years.

A tragic outcome of the violence led teenager Ouwais Menzel to found the organisation Youth Against Violence last year after his best mate Jason Galleghan was tragically killed in Doonside.

Mr Menzel said he believed by understanding what leads teens to join these gangs, the wider community can be educated and ultimately reduce youth violence as a whole.

“Youth violence continues to be a rapidly growing problem within our communities in the Blacktown LGA,” he said.

“We have seen the first-hand impacts of the violence that has ravaged our streets.

“The lack of early intervention and education around youth violence and youth crime in the Blacktown LGA is concerning, with young people living in western Sydney feeling like their lives are not being taken seriously,”

Mr Menzel said he also believed youth violence was a generational problem and it was time to take action to help troubled teens.

Ouwais Menzel.

“Some young people come from broken homes and families. They run away to seek an environment to feel safe and secure in, and turn towards youth crime and violence,” he said.

“This is a generational problem that we have faced for a long time. Sitting around and talking about the problem is not working anymore, our young people need action and real action.”

NSW Police Superintendent Steve Egginton has seen the escalation of youth violence in Sydney’s west over the years and said police were working closely on the issue, trying to educate children and get youths back on the right path.

“We are doing work across the board to engage with western Sydney youth, whether that be through our joint work with PCYC or through other programs to get children who are heading in the wrong direction, back on the right track,” said Superintendent Egginton.

Superintendent Stephen Egginton. Picture: Gaye Gerard

“For those kids who are coming under our notice more and more, we want to direct them into the workforce, give them a purpose, and have them as thriving members of society.

“We try to really work with agencies like PCYC to get these youths engaged in sport and positive activities so they use their energy in a positive way.”

Superintendent Egginton said prevention was the main focus for NSW Police when it came to youth violence.

“Prevention is key for us. It is about trying to engage children and teach them how to deal with issues. It is about teaching them right and wrong when they come across those conflicts,” he said.

“Our focus has always been on prevention as it saves a lot of work down the line, with justice costs and rehabilitation, and we are very active in getting those measures in place.”

The following are four youth violence incidents that occurred in western Sydney in the past 12 months.

Blacktown stabbing

Police and forensic teams at the crime scene of a fatal stabbing in Blacktown. Picture: Jeremy Piper

A teenager died and two others were left fighting for life after a brawl in Blacktown last September.

Emergency services rushed to the intersection of Suffolk St and William St, Blacktown, following reports of a brawl.

When emergency services arrived, they treated a 17-year old boy on scene, where he tragically died. Two other boys, both aged 15, were taken to hospital in critical conditions.

It is believed that around a dozen youths were involved in the incident, some as young as 14 in what police described as an attack which was “confronting”.

Penrith stabbing

A 16-year-old was left with a lacerated liver and facial fractures after an alleged stabbing in a brawl in Sydney’s west.

Emergency services were called to a car park on Mulgoa Road, Penrith, near the intersection of Jamison Rd, just before midnight on May 1, following reports of a brawl.

When police arrived on the scene they found a teenager with serious injuries.

As police investigated the incident, they released footage of the incident which showed about six men jumping into a ute and small hatchback, before then driving away from the scene.

Glenwood High School stabbing

A 16-year-old student was stabbed at a high school in Glenwood. Picture: 7NEWS

A 16-year-old boy was flown to hospital with stab wounds after an incident at Glenwood High School in May last year.

Emergency services were called to the school following reports of a stabbing.

Upon arrival they discovered a male student had suffered multiple stab wounds to his stomach, with first aid administered on scene by school staff before the young boy was flown to Westmead Hospital for treatment.