Gunner to unveil ‘toughest’ crackdown on youth crime amid staggering spike in offences

A plan for the “toughest” ever crackdown on youth crime in the NT is set to be revealed by the government, as pressure builds on Chief Minister Michael Gunner to deal with public outrage over the issue.

A PLAN for the “toughest” ever crackdown on youth crime in the NT is set to be revealed by the government, as pressure builds on Chief Minister Michael Gunner to deal with public outrage over the issue.

The NT News understands the government will unveil a package of measures, including new laws to reduce youth crime by targeting repeat offenders, early next week.

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SH Build have been working out at Maningrida working on a housing contract and have had their vehicles stolen and destroyed and worksite broken into. Picture: SH Build

The measures could include what the government has branded “tougher than ever before consequences” for youth offenders who breach bail alongside increased police powers to tackle juvenile criminals.

It comes as new crime statistics, released by NT Police yesterday, revealed a staggering year-on-year increase of assaults (22.4 per cent) and alcohol-related assaults (31 per cent) across the Territory.

Rates of assault in the NT between February 2020 and January this year averaged 32 offences per 1000 people, up from 26 the year before, while alcohol-related assault rates rose from 13 per 1000 people to nearly 17.

By comparison, assault rates in Queensland in 2020 averaged five offences per 1000 people.

Northern Commander Tony Deutrom . Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

Southern Commander Craig Laidler.

Northern Commander Tony Deutrom said it was important to “take stock” of improvements.

This includes the ongoing Territory-wide downward trend of car thefts and break-ins.

But in Alice Springs the new data shows home break-ins rose nearly 25 per cent year-on-year alongside a 30 per cent spike in domestic violence related assaults.

NT Police Southern Commander Craig Laidler admitted it was a “challenging time” in the Red Centre and there was “a bit of work for us to do”.

The statistics do not offer a breakdown on offences committed by kids but Commander Laidler said half of all crime tackled by Strike Force Viper had been carried out by youth.

The crime crisis in Alice Springs gained national attention this week after a segment aired by A Current Affair.

The Opposition, in the aftermath of the segment, rehashed its calls to reverse a change to youth bail laws made in response to recommendations from the NT youth detention royal commission.

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro. Picture Glenn Campbell

NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner. Picture Glenn Campbell

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro seized on the crime data as proof the government had “lost control” and its policies had “failed”.

“We can’t expect (police) to shoulder the enormous weight of Labor’s failed law and order and alcohol policies,” she said.

“These appalling crime figures fall squarely at the feet of the Gunner government.”

The NT News can reveal government ministers met on Friday to finalise its youth crime crackdown measures, with an announcement set for next week’s parliamentary sittings.

Commander Deutrom also flagged the need to address alcohol-related harm across the Territory and called for authorities to “fully utilise” the Banned Drinker Register, including proactively identifying problem drinkers that needed to be cut off and putting “temporary controls in place”.

The spike in alcohol related assault was starkest in Tennant Creek, where offending rates have risen from 53 per 1000 people to 90 per 1000 people.