Residents at Palm Beach retirement village “living in fear” of youth gang

Months of mayhem caused by juveniles has forced a retirement village to pay for security patrols. SEE WHY

Residents of a Palm Beach retirement village are living in fear after falling victim to repeated break-ins.

A quiet Palm Beach retirement village has been “violated” by young criminals with elderly residents “living in fear”.

Cars, jewellery, cash and sentimental items have been stolen during repeated break-ins at the up-market community, with private security called in to patrol the estate at night.

The Bulletin has chosen not to name the village or disclose its location for safety reasons, and residents have asked not be identified for fear of retribution from the offenders.

Some of the victims say they have lived in the community for close to a decade without incident but now feel like “sitting ducks” after months of crime.

“Most of the people here are in their 70s, you have women that live on their own waking up to kids in their home going through their purse. It’s a new low for them (young criminals). They come for us because they know we can’t fight back” a resident said.

“The manager and staff have been great, they come to our rescue when things have happened. They are at a loss as well, we have cameras and gates but it doesn’t stop the kids, they just jump it and get in”.

Over the past few months the gang has kicked in the doors to the community centre, vandalising the inside of the building and stealing alcohol from behind the bar.

In a separate incident, a hole was cut in the flyscreen of a unit to gain entry and once inside the juveniles couldn’t find anything of value so they trashed the home, smashing up the resident’s belongings.

Crime data from Queensland Police Service shows 19 offences have occurred at, or near the retirement village over the last 12 months including five stolen cars and six break and enters.

It’s understood at least two children have been arrested and charged by police for their alleged involvement in the retirement village robberies.

Residents say the crime has abated but they fear it’s “only a matter of time” with a number of other offenders still outstanding.

The number of police to cover Palm Beach has fallen to its lowest level in 13 years following secret cuts to staffing. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“The police are as frustrated as we are because they know that it’s only a matter of time before a court cuts them loose and they’re back doing the same thing again” a resident said.

“I know for me, the past month I have been sleeping a full night again but I don’t know how long it will last.

“When I got to bed I’m checking out the windows for movement, leaving the light on in the front area (because) just by chance if someone is up to no good they might think I’m awake and think twice before trying to get in.”

Earlier this month the Bulletin revealed officers at the Palm Beach police division, where the retirement village is based, have faced years of secret cuts to staff which has left the area with its lowest number of officers in 13 years.

Just 32 officers are allocated to cover the Palm Beach station and the Elanora police beat. The area had 37 positions allocated to it in 2010 and had 38 officers in 2017.

The lack of staff is preventing officers from responding to crime, a police source said

“On some shifts they do not have enough staff to put a car out on the road.”