NSW Police crack down on teens running wild in rural towns

Elders in regional NSW have given police the nod to lock up kids repeatedly flouting the law - robbing homes, pinching cars and coaxing police into high-speed chases.

Aboriginal elders in regional NSW have given police the nod to lock up children repeatedly flouting the law — running wild at night, robbing homes, pinching cars and trying to coax police into high-speed chases.

The worrying spike in dangerous crimes committed by 10 to 14-year-olds, particularly in the state’s north and west, has residents on edge and asking for help.

Police are listening, launching a full-scale response comparable to the arsenal they deploy when tackling Sydney’s gang wars and the state’s most dangerous of DV offenders.

“The last thing we want to do is lock up children but that’s what we will do when nothing else seems to get through to them and the community needs protecting,” said Deputy Commissioner Paul Pisanos as he launched Operation Mongoose — the regional version of the highly successful Operation Sweetenham tackling dangerous youth crime in the city.

Deputy Commissioner Paul Pisanos in Kempsey. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“We have a two-pronged approach to this rising and concerning spike in crime. One is prevention and intervention but there is also the need to respond and keep communities safe so that is where Operation Mongoose comes in,” Mr Pisanos told the Sunday Telegraph in an exclusive interview on the mid-north coast this week.

“We are seeing kids accessing homes, exploiting regional settings, getting in through open doors and windows, usually in groups and armed with gel blasters, knives, machetes.

“They are stealing utes, Commodores, Fords, Holdens and engaging in pursuits, drug and drink driving.

“There is no link to gang activity, as they have found in the city, it’s more about filming for tik tok and toying with police for a pursuit.”

The Mongoose response involves the region enforcement squad who are the “proactive hunters”, criminal investigators, covert operations including technical surveillance operatives and importantly youth liaison officers.

Deputy Commissioner Pisanos said while stopping the violence and fear in regional communities was his priority, stopping the trend was the long-end game.

Umcle Bob Smith, centre, with other Kempsey elders. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“Policing is about both sides of the spectrum and we are passionate about making sure we get to the root of the problem, listen to the elders in these communities, take an approach that fits the unique circumstances of each area and find ways to reach these kids and get them back on track, back at school and engaged.”

Uncle Bob Smith said police had his full support and the support of other areas in the Kempsey region.

“The problem is these kids are starting this behaviour very young, they are getting influenced by older fellas and I shake my head,” Uncle Bob told the Sunday Telegraph.

“When we were growing up we were disciplined and we knew our place, we knew to be home before dark, to bring the firewood.

Kids stealing cars for thr thrill. Picture: TikTok

Teens breaking into houses at night: Picture: TikTok

“Our aunts and uncles could discipline us so if they saw us up to no good they could pull us into line, that’s not happening now, kids aren’t listening to us,” he said.

“They are out doing break and enters, stealing cars and setting them alight, breaking into homes, they have free rein and when the police do catch them they keep letting them back out to do it all again. It’s gotta be drummed into them that if you keep doing this you get locked up.”

Aunty Cheryl said she missed the days of sitting around the campfire, listening to stories from elders, having respect and learning about culture.

“There was no running water, no electricity, that’s what we did and we listened and we learned.”

She said she was pleased the police were engaging with the elders in the community and “listening with both ears”.

It comes as NRL superstar Latrell Mitchell and other sporting identities helped launch the Fight for Success Program with NSW police.

Mitchell who, away from the bright lights of the city, is trying to change the lives of vulnerable kids in the bush and letting them know that they, too, can live out their dreams.

Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]