Calls for tougher consequences for criminal youths after Palmerston Shopping Centre rampage

LABOR’S experiment with soft options for kids who commit crimes has failed and the public expects a return to a custodial approach, says the Opposition CLP

LABOR’S experiment with soft options for kids who commit crimes has failed and the public expects a return to a custodial approach, according to Opposition Leader Gary Higgins.

Speaking in the wake of Saturday night’s shocking rampage at Palmerston Shopping Centre by a gang of seven, Mr Higgins said the three children allegedly involved needed “a kick up the behind” rather than being handed over to diversion programs.

Three kids aged 12, 13 and 17 are alleged to have been involved in trashing the entrance to the shopping centre.

Three adults aged 18, 20, and 31 have been charged and police are still looking for a seventh person involved in the incident.

Darwin Commander Travis Wurst said the investigation was ongoing.

He said officers arrived at the scene 13 minutes after the report was received by the Joint Emergency Services co-ordination Centre.

Mr Higgins said the Government wasn’t doing enough to get tough on crime.

A still from video footage showing a youth being handcuffed and arrested after the riot. Video: Janny Fenech

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“These kids are criminals, they are breaking the law and they are costing business and they should be treated in that way,” he said.

Mr Higgins said the public expected kids who committed crimes at the more extreme end of the spectrum to be locked up or put in boot camps.

“I think a more custodial approach is what the public is calling for, the thing is they are tired of having these kids getting a pat on the back of the hand,” Mr Higgins said.

“They need a kick up the behind to get them to realise that there are consequences for what they do.”

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“We should be looking at boot camps, which this Government closed, they should be reopened, they are a better option, we should be looking at custodial officers looking after them not youth workers

Mr Higgins said parents should be involved in any form of diversion.

“The parents have to be involved in any solution. To not have the parents involved is not going to address the problem,” he said.

Palmerston Mayor Athina Pascoe-Bell said the behaviour of the group at the shopping centre was disappointing.

“The behaviour is not acceptable, it is concerning that incident occurred especially at the shopping centre when there are other people present,” Ms Pascoe-Bell said.

“I feel sorry for the businesses and security guards.”

A group of youths and adults were filmed destroying the Coles entrance to the Palmerston Shopping Centre.

She said she was in discussion with the Government to see if the council could assist.

Vision of the group throwing trolleys, kicking glass doors and throwing rocks and shards of glass while security looked on helplessly was circulated widely on social media on Sunday.

A security guard who did not want to be named said the rampage began after they tried to intervene in a fight between the group outside the entrance to the shops.

Police swooped and caught the alleged offenders as they attempted to run.

Acting Police Minister Eva Lawler said the culprits would face the music.

A still from video footage showing one of the youths approaching security guards during the riot. Video: Janny Fenech

“If you do the wrong thing, you will face the consequences,” she said.

“The incident … was disgraceful behaviour and those responsible will be held to account.”

She said the Government was tackling youth crime by putting $18.2 million each year into youth diversion and alternatives to detention.

Manuel Pitcher, 31, unsuccessfully applied for bail in Darwin Local Court on Monday after being charged for his role in the incident.

The boarded-up front entrance to the Palmerston Shopping Centre on Sunday after the mayhem of violence on Saturday night

Judge Elisabeth Armitage said his prior offending and failures to comply with bail conditions were reason to keep him on remand until his next court date in February.

The other two men are due in court January 31 and the three youths were released for diversion.