High-profile cases spark fears of a rise in youth crime in Maribyrnong

THREE shocking high-profile cases in just two weeks have sparked fears that youth crime is out of control in a western Melbourne suburb – but police say it’s just a case of “a couple of bad eggs”.

Police blame the wave of recent youth crime cases in Maribyrnong on “a couple of bad eggs combined with school holidays”. Picture: Supplied

POLICE deny youth crime is escalating in Maribyrnong despite three high-profile cases in just two weeks.

The shocking crimes included four teens who allegedly stole a bus from a West Footscray depot and went on a crime spree; a 14-year-old allegedly bashed by a gang of seven youths in a toilet block at Highpoint Shopping Centre; and a group of teenagers who allegedly stole a phone and assaulted two younger boys, also at the centre.

Four teenagers arrested over West Footscray bus theft

Footscray Senior Sergeant Mark Kennedy said youth crime was not on the rise, despite the incidents.

“It’s more likely a couple of bad eggs combined with school holidays and we are expecting it to die down,” Sen-Sgt Kennedy said.

He said police were doing everything possible to prevent crime and prosecute those who had engaged in criminal behaviour.

Crime Statistics Agency data shows that while the number of youth offenders had decreased over recent years, there are concerns about a minority who repeatedly commit increasingly serious and violent crimes.

In Maribyrnong, data from the last financial year shows serious offences were being committed by youth, aged 10 to 19. These included 45 reported cases of assault, 109 of theft, 30 of robbery and 61 cases of property damage.

Political tensions over the issue have escalated with the State Government and Opposition vowing to be tougher on crime.

Matthew Guy wants tougher bail laws. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

State Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said he wanted to see tougher bail laws and minimum sentences.

Nathan Motton, a spokesman for the Youth Justice Minister Jenny Mikakos, said the Government had invested a record $2 billion on police resources and introduced new laws to “crack down on crime”.

However, youth worker Les Twentyman said education was a better way to help prevent young people getting involved in crime.