Dubbo: Spate of youth crime sees calls for regionwide curfew by fearful residents

A strict overnight curfew is being called for to stamp out the growing spate of youth crime incidents in the state’s central west. See what it could mean for your family.

Residents living in a state of fear have made a desperate plea for a dusk till dawn youth curfew to be installed in the state’s central west – as homes and businesses have been broken into, cars torched and property destroyed live on social media.

Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research data revealed crime is on the rise in Dubbo – especially when it comes to break in and enters and theft.

Comparing data from December 2022 and December 2021, Dubbo is experiencing an incline in break-ins by 4.5 per cent and motor vehicle theft by 3.6 per cent.

Dubbo residents have taken to local social media pages, calling on NSW police and local representatives to install an overnight curfew in an effort to stamp out a rising tide of youth crime.

A recent vehicle that has been burnt near Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

A NSW Police spokesman said specialist youth officers were working with local police to deliver “youth programs and youth initiatives, which focus on early intervention to prevent and disrupt crime”.

“Ultimately, the aim of the program is to steer them away from crime and build their engagement with education and employment opportunities within the community,” the spokesman said.

Launched in Dubbo in 2019, Project Walwaay aims to support and assist local youth who are at risk of entering the criminal justice system.

Dubbo state Nationals MP Dugald Saunders has been “working closely” on what is an “extremely difficult situation”.

Dugald Saunders. Picture: NCA NewsWire

He said the previous NSW Government had been “committed” to reducing youth crime through programs, including Youth on Track, Youth Justice Conferencing, collaborations with Police Citizens Youth Clubs and other programs.

However, with crime on the rise, Dubbo residents are concerned for the welfare of themselves and the community if nothing further is done.

Dubbo nurse Emily Williams and her children were walking to their car in the Riverdale carpark when a man began following them in April.

“He was coming up the escalator when we were going down then he followed us down,” Ms Williams said.

“My daughter who is 11, came closer to me and said ‘Mum, I think there is a man following us’.

“Just before that, we went to Woolies [Woolworths] and I bought a bag of dog food which I put over my handbag in the trolley – if I didn’t have that, he probably would’ve taken something.”

Ms Williams said the man “disappeared into the night” when someone else got out of a vehicle in the car park.

A curfew could be installed which would see youth banned from roaming the streets after dark. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I grabbed my keys out of my bag and told the kids to quickly get in the car – my son has ADHD so there was nothing quick about it,” Ms Williams said.

Ms Williams explained her children were “terrified”.

“We’re their protectors and to feel like I couldn’t protect them was horrible,” she said.

She said she has “mixed” feelings about a curfew but suggests “responsibility should be put on the parents” of children.

“If their kids were where they were supposed to be then things like this wouldn’t happen,” she said.

“Police need to be more proactive”.

The Dubbo News asked local residents of what they think should be done about the increase of youth crimes, with several calling for a curfew or imposed regulations of when children should be allowed out at night.

Joseph Wahbi praised the call from neighbours, saying it would be a “good idea” to reduce criminal activity in the local area.

Joseph Wahbi says a curfew should be imposed to protect the children and the community.

John Mark said, “there should be a curfew for the safety of the community and the youth themselves”.

John Mark says a curfew should be imposed to protect the children and the community.

However, several Dubbo residents raised concerns about the practicality of having a curfew – and questioned whether NSW Police have equipped resources for the suggestion.

A dedicated Dubbo Crime Page – updated by residents each morning of the crimes they have encountered throughout the night – has been inundated with incidents.

A recent post said three boys had allegedly “crashed a stolen car into a pole” on Fitzroy Street before they were all found injured and bleeding.

“Someone get these kids out of this car before they k*ll [themselves],” the author said.

Another post warned residents that children were “throwing rocks at houses and smashing windows”.