Editorial: Rock throwers must be caught ASAP

Having a large rock hurled at your car while driving 80 km/h at night must be absolutely terrifying. And, the fact that the people responsible for doing so to at least 20 cars on Sunday are still at large is also terrifying.

Toby George was driving down Tiger Brennan Drive when people threw a rock at his car, narrowly avoiding his daughter Milly. Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

HAVING a large rock hurled at your car while driving 80 km/h at night must be absolutely terrifying.

And, the fact that the people responsible for doing so to at least 20 cars on Sunday are still at large is also terrifying.

Throwing rocks at cars may seem silly and frivolous, and luckily it is only cars that have been damaged so far.

However, it’s an act of stupidity that could so easily have ugly – and even deadly – consequences.

NT Police Senior Sergeant Michael Fields said himself that rock throwing could easily result in serious harm to motorists or even death.

He said the rocks were reported to be around half the size of a brick.

One victim spoke about the moment his heart stopped when one of the rocks, which was thrown at his car, only just missed his young daughter who was resting against the window.

This is why it is so important that police do everything in their power to catch those responsible as soon as possible and bring them to court.

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The punishment must take into account personal deterrence and also general deterrence so the rest of the community understand that throwing rocks at cars is a serious crime that has serious repercussions.

Although this does appear to be an isolated incident, it is only a matter of time before the offenders potentially offend again. Or, potentially for copycat offenders to begin doing the same.