New laws to crack down on criminal ringleaders who entice kids to commit crimes

A new law would give SA the toughest penalties in the country as the state government cracks down on kids enticed into a life of crime.

New legislation set to be introduced to state parliament this week will crack down on criminal ringleaders recruiting children to break the law.

If passed, South Australia would have the toughest penalties in the country for criminals who recruit children to commit crimes.

Under the proposed legislation, perpetrators could face up to 15 years in jail, with Attorney-General Kyam Maher saying anyone who involved children in crime “deserves to face the full force of the law”.

“These laws send a clear message that we will throw the book at anyone who tries to get a child to commit a serious crime,” Mr Maher said.

“Ensuring the safety of the community is one of the top priorities of the state government. This government will do whatever is necessary to protect the community from criminal offending and safeguard the wellbeing of young South Australians.”

SA currently has no general offence provision dealing with adults who recruit children to engage in criminal activity.

The proposed new law would apply to ringleaders who recruit children to commit major indictable offences.

If the offence attracts a maximum penalty greater than 15 years in jail, the ringleaders would be exposed to the greater of the two penalties.

It comes after The Advertiser exclusively revealed youth crime task force Operation Mandrake was actively investigating more than 50 recidivist offenders known to police and suspected of “luring” children into committing crime.

In February, acting Assistant Police Commissioner Graham Goodwin, who was overseeing Operation Mandrake, said Indigenous children being targeted by older friends and relatives was a major police concern.

“Very clearly some of the – who we would say are lead organisers – they’re the ones who entice others into joining them and into some of this criminal-type behaviour,” Mr Goodwin told The Advertiser.

“These people have a very strong influence over our younger offenders and take them along with some of their criminal behaviour and criminal activity.

“As is in every group, gang … sometimes people get drawn into that lifestyle.”

Originally published as New laws to crack down on criminal ringleaders who entice kids to commit crimes