‘They’ve got no respect’: Maningrida cops crack down on youths as property crime hits record high

YOUNG offenders in Maningrida are telling police they want to go to Don Dale to be with their friends, after property crime rates in the community recently hit a record five-year high

Sergeant Kim Chambers, the man at the helm of the Maningrida Police Station, has been working in the community for a decade. Picture: Natasha Emeck

• Vandals hit cultural centre in ‘senseless’ attacks
• ‘We won’t be going back’: Maningrida crime wave leaves company with $180k damage bill

YOUNG offenders in Maningrida are telling police they want to go to Don Dale Youth Detention to be with their friends, after property crime rates in the community recently hit a record five-year high.

Crime data obtained by the NT News shows youth are involved in about half of the 119 offences and 53 arrests that police have recorded in Maningrida since January 1.

The recent youth crime wave, which has left businesses with over a million dollars worth of damages, saw property offences hit a record five- year high in the community last month.

MORE TOP NEWS

Brisbane City, Logan, Moreton Bay and more declared hot spots by NT govt

Chief Minister in isolation after feeling unwell, meeting with people from hot spot

New designs for redeveloped State Square car park revealed

An aerial view of Maningrida. Picture: Natash Emeck

It comes as government and community agencies gather in Maningrida for a crisis meeting today amid ongoing youth crime concerns.

Sergeant Kim Chambers – who’s been at the helm of the Maningrida Police Station for a decade – said crime levels finally dropped off this month after a group of about 10 core youth offenders were brought under control.

He said about seven of the youths were on bail and two were on youth diversion.

Sgt Chambers said social media had been fuelling many of their youth crime problems with kids posting videos on TikTok and Instagram of themselves boasting about the cars and money they’d stolen.

“They’re connecting on social media and showing off all these stolen car keys to their friends,” Sgt Chambers said.

“I spoke to two boys who were just put on remand, and they were happy about it.

“Some of the comments we’re hearing is that they want to be with their friends and go to Don Dale, but I don’t think they fully understand.”

Several cars from the Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, Mala’la Health Service Aboriginal Corporation and SH Build have been stolen and written off by youths this year.

Local artist Derek Carter said he was devastated by the damage left by youths when they broke into the Maningrida Art and Cultural Centre this year.

HOT NEW DEAL: Read everything for 28 days for just $1

He said youths broke in twice and let off the fire extinguisher during the most recent incident, contaminating thousands of dollars worth of cultural artworks.

“They brought the kids here to talk with us after they broke in, but that made me feel angry because the kids were laughing when an artist stood up to talk, they’ve got no respect,” he said.

“We want to teach them proper way, but they need to listen. It’s sad and frustrating.”

Maningrida resident Elizabeth Wullunmingu said she knew some boys were being sent away from community to stay with other family members due to recent bad behaviour.

Sgt Chambers said an 18-year-old boy police believe was responsible for a lot of recent property crime had also been taken to Darwin last week.

“Some parents were complaining that other kids were coming around and dragging their kids out of bed in the middle of the night to go steal cars,” he said.