Islamic Society of Palmerston here to help, after being victim of youth crime

The Islamic Society of Palmerston says their doors are open to the public despite three teenage boys trashing the hall and throwing rocks at cars and people as they entered the centre

The centre was one of a handful of places in Palmerston damaged by youths during the week.

The Islamic Society of Palmerston says their doors are open to the public despite three teenage boys trashing the hall and throwing rocks at cars and people as they entered the centre.

The centre was one of a handful of places in Palmerston damaged by youths during the week.

City centre cafe, Mosko’s Market, and the library was damaged by a group of youths on Wednesday.

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Four teenage girls were arrested and given youth diversion over the incident.

The three boys aged between 14 and 15 accused of breaking into the Islamic centre in Moulden, and trashing the kitchen and hall with food supplies at 5.30am on Tuesday March 10.

They are then accused of returning the same day at 6.50pm where they harassed people entering the centre.

They also threw rocks at people and cars before fleeing.

An Islamic Society of Palmerston executive committee member, who did not want to be named out to fear of being targeted said he had at least 10 rocks thrown him while he tried to quell the situation.

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He said the centre and neighbours were often targeted by people, and did not believe the latest incident was related to religion.

He stressed the centre and its members were people who held professional jobs and worked in the community.

“We are a part of the community we exercise Australian values and participate in all the national activities,” he said.

“Having something like this happen is not only our concern but the greater Palmerston and greater Darwin concern.”

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He said in the past eight to nine years the centre has been broken into about 90 times.

The latest attack has seen a drop in people coming to the centre out of fear their children could be hit by rocks.

“We have seen a huge reduction of people coming to our services,” the committee member said.

He said the youths needed support and would be welcome to drop by the centre should they need help.

“I would be giving them the same support as I would to my kids,” he said.