Youth crime reaches boiling point at Tweed City Shopping Centre, Tweed Mall in northern NSW
“Violent youth gangs”, “ugly graffiti” and a young girl allegedly “dragged and kicked in the head” – just another day at these Tweed shopping centres. Here’s why everyone is fed up.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
“Violent loitering youth gangs”, “ugly graffiti” and a young girl allegedly “dragged and kicked in the head” – another day at one of Tweed’s shopping centres.
And it is not just the parents, police and centre security fed up with what has been coined “Disneyland for eshays”. It’s the politicians too, with one saying it was due time local magistrates started throwing the book at young offenders.
Tweed MP Geoff Provest spoke at length with NewsLocal on Tuesday regarding what he said was a skyrocketing increase in youth crime across the border region, particularly at Tweed Mall and Tweed City Shopping Centre, where “violent loitering youth gangs” flock to like seagulls on chips.
He said police believe many of the gangs are coming south across the border from as far as the northern Gold Coast and Logan – because “the Tweed is an easy target”.
“Youth crime has been dramatically on the rise since the floods,” Mr Provest said.
“You’d be hard-pressed to find a person in the community who isn’t concerned about it. Thirty per cent of our population is over the age of 65.
“We recently held a crime meeting to address many of these concerns. The police are proactive but I have reiterated time and time again – if we as a community don’t report crime to the police, presence and manpower won’t increase because they only look at crime numbers.
“Also if we don’t report it – the police will not show up”.
Mr Provest is well aware of the problem. His office is literally a stone’s throw from Tweed City Shopping Centre, across the road on Minjungbal Dr. He can see the issues plain as day – the “ugly graffiti” being a not-so-quaint view from his front window.
“There’s security cameras out the front of my office. Police regularly show up to ask for CCTV footage of incidents nearby,” he said.
“The shopping centre and the police aren’t to blame. I think the local magistrates are letting young offenders off too easily, and they are going back into the community to reoffend. It really disheartens me.”
On April 11, a young girl, 13, was allegedly “dragged on the ground and kicked in the head” by a teenage girl at Tweed City Shopping Centre bus stop. Moments later, her sister, was also allegedly assaulted.
On Tuesday, NSW Police issued a statement saying they had charged the alleged offender with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and demanding property by force.
“About 6.45pm on Thursday 11 April 2024, police were called to a bus stop near a shopping centre on Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads South, following reports of an assault,” a police spokesperson said.
“At the scene, police were told that two girls, aged 13 and 16, were waiting at the bus stop when they were approached by another girl who allegedly demanded their personal items.
“The girls complied; however, were assaulted a short time later before fleeing to a nearby restaurant where police were notified.
“Police from Tweed/Byron Police District attended the scene and spoke with witnesses; however, the alleged offender had left the scene.
“Following extensive inquiries, police arrested a 14-year-old girl on Zadoc Street, Lismore, about 12.30pm on Friday 26 April 2024.”
She was taken to Lismore Police Station where she was charged and will appear before a children’s court on Friday June 7.
In the wake of a NewsLocal report on the alleged incident, angry parents took to social media to share horrifying stories of similar incidents at both Tweed Mall and Tweed City Shopping Centre.
One mum called Tweed Mall “dangerous” and an “insane asylum”.
Another wrote: “Tweed City is reflective of our social downfall”.
One late night worker at Tweed City added: “It’s getting ridiculously dangerous to be at work”.
Another person wrote: “I drive past (Tweed City) three times a day and cops are out the front every time”.
One person went as far to re-name the centre “Tweed s--tty”.
Banora mother-of-two Kiera Chanwick told NewsLocal that she is fearful of her children, 8, 12, going to the shops, even with parental supervision.
“It’s Disneyland for car-stealing eshays. It’s out of control at the Tweed shopping centres,” she said.
“We want to move but can’t afford anywhere else for rent so it feels a little hopeless at the moment with rising youth crime,” she said.
Richmond MP Justine Elliot, whose electorate office is also across the road from Tweed City, said community safety was her “top priority”.
“As a former frontline police officer, community safety is my top priority. This (alleged) incident at Tweed City is terrible, and a senseless act of violence,” she said.
“Let’s be clear, any instance of crime is unacceptable, and that’s why I strongly support the tough new youth offender laws that the NSW Government has recently introduced.
“Our police do a fantastic job, but we still need more resources, more intervention, more prevention, more victim support, and stronger laws.
“I’m calling for mobile CCTV cameras for our area and I’ll keep working hard to get this delivered.”
Tweed Mall centre management have previously told NewsLocal that security at the centre was “appropriate”.
A spokesperson for Tweed City Shopping Centre (Lendlease) said the centre had a “comprehensive security management program in place”.
The program consists of CCTV, security patrols seven days per week and a regular police presence, the spokesperson said.
“We’re continuously reviewing and updating the centre’s safety procedures to ensure they remain in line with the latest standards and best practices.
“As always, the safety of our customers, retailers and staff is our number one priority.”
Got a story tip? Email sam.stolz@news.com.au
‘Dragged, kicked in the head’: Mum’s panic over mall violence
April 17: A panicked mother has warned others about public safety after her daughter was allegedly “dragged and kicked in the head” by a group of teenage girls at a busy Tweed shopping centre bus stop, saying the area is no longer safe.
This latest alleged violence comes as a large contingent of parents took to Facebook to slam what they say is a lack of policing and security at both Tweed Mall and Tweed City Shopping Centre.
In an anonymous post, a mother detailed an alleged assault on April 11.
“This is a message to parents. Do not let your child catch the bus at Tweed Mall or Tweed City until cameras have been put up,” she wrote.
“There are groups of unsavoury teens who prey on others – and today that was my family.
“One of my children was dragged, thrown to the ground and kicked in the head by three others until unconscious. Then they moved on to another family member.”
The woman added: “Our kids want freedom but aren’t old enough to drive and the only way to get around is the bus system.
“Now for my kids, that option is no more,” she wrote.
The post attracted hundreds of comments on various Tweed Heads community pages, with other parents voicing similar concerns.
Teena Ellis wrote: “I have to second this unfortunately. This happened to another person’s teenage daughter only months ago. She was dragged to the ground and kicked in the head, she was hurt quite bad.
“It was filmed by one of the other teens, who then sent to the girl they hurt as a scare tactic. “It was obviously reported to the police. It’s not a good spot for anyone’s kids to be catching the bus unattended by an adult.”
Angie Gill added: “All the store people at Tweed City know these kids – they kick doors in, put poo over the toilets, just bad. But where are these kids parents or are they scared of them too? It’s out of control.”
Katie McDonough wrote: “Watched some little s--ts trying to rip the roof off the bus shelter yesterday at Tweed City. Another kid was chasing the trolley man and calling him racist slurs. It’s horrible down there. Same group of kids all the time.”
Tweed Mall centre manager Megan White told NewsLocal that the safety and security of customers and retailers was “of the utmost importance”.
“We do have appropriate security at the centre and continue to work with NSW Police with any active investigations,” she said.
When asked whether reports of anti-social behaviour and violence had been on the increase at the shopping centre, Ms White said police would have a better idea of the statistics.
Tweed City Shopping Centre Management have been contacted for comment, but did not respond by deadline.
A NSW Police spokesperson confirmed Tweed/Byron Police District officers were investigating the alleged bashing.
“About 6.50pm on Thursday (11 April 2024), emergency services were called to a bus stop on Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads, after reports of an assault,” the spokesperson said.
“On arrival, officers attached to Tweed-Byron Police District were told two girls, aged 16 and 13, were waiting at the bus stop when they were approached and assaulted by three unknown teenage girls, who left prior to police arrival.
“The two girls received minor injuries.
“An investigation into the incident has commenced.”
Tweed Mall has been earmarked for a massive $900m overhaul, with Sydney-based real estate funds manager Elanor Investors Group filing concept plans for the development.
The plans include 13 mixed-use multistorey buildings on the corner of Wharf and Bay streets, with extensive retail and dining offerings.
The group acquired the site in 2016.
It is unclear whether the multimillion-dollar facelift will deter anti-social behaviour in the area, as well as the large presence of those facing homelessness or sleeping rough.
Police have urged anyone with information in relation to the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Got a story tip? Email sam.stolz@news.com.au
More Coverage
Originally published as Youth crime reaches boiling point at Tweed City Shopping Centre, Tweed Mall in northern NSW
Join the conversation
Rappers’ prison brawl ‘linked’ to drive-by shooting: Police
Police have linked a drive-by shooting to an alleged prison fight between two rappers. CCTV footage from the night of the shooting has been released.
Read more
New survey: 90pc of parents demand action on social media
Parents have overwhelmingly backed age limits stopping kids accessing social media until they hit 16, according to a state government survey of more than 21,000 people.
Read more