‘It’s concerning to see there are many young people still on the streets’: Alarm raised over young kids roaming the streets past midnight

A TERRITORY politician has expressed frustrations at the number of kids — some as young as 10 — still roaming the streets of Tennant Creek at night

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MEMBER for Barkly Steve Edgington has expressed frustrations at the number of kids still roaming Tennant Creek’s streets at night.

Mr Edgington said he was concerned by the number of kids under the age of 10 he saw walking around town at night this weekend while accompanying a local night patrol group run by volunteers.

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The volunteer patrol group, co-ordinated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, was assembled to help police prevent crime and anti-social behaviour in Tennant Creek.

“It’s concerning to see there are many young people still on the streets past midnight,” Mr Edginton said.

“Some kids were clearly under 10-years-old, and when we asked them why they’re on the streets in the middle of the night, many simply say they’re not sure.

Barkly MLA Steve Edgington pictured in Tennant Creek.

“It’s certainly disappointing to see this is still happening years after the Barkly Deal was struck.”

Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation chairwoman Linda Turnerd previously said youth anti-social behaviour and crime in the area had got out of hand and there was a sense in Tennant Creek that “the kids were holding the town to ransom”.

Territory Families Minister Kate Worden said there were a “significant” amount of services in place to support kids and families in Tennant Creek.

“Young people should be safe at home with their families at night," she said.

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“A range of family support services exist to assist families to be responsible for the safety and wellbeing of their children, including Intensive Family Support Services-Anyinginyi and CatholicCare, and the Child and Family Centre.

“We fund the Barkly Regional Council YouthLinx drop in centre $475,000 per year to provide activities, holiday programs and support services throughout the day and night. The drop in centre averaged 1,066 unique attendances per month from January to February 2021.”