Kariong riot: 20 charged after police end roof siege

Police have stormed the roof of a NSW juvenile justice centre, bringing to an end a violent 21-hour riot in which seven people were injured.

Inmates are removed from the roof of a Central Coast detention centre. Picture: John Grainger

Police have stormed the roof of a juvenile justice centre, bringing to an end a violent 21-hour riot in which seven people were injured at the NSW ­central coast facility.

The riot broke out at the Frank Baxter Juvenile Justice Centre at Kariong about 8.30pm on Sunday, with reports of several inmates assaulti­ng each other, NSW police said in a statement yesterday.

Seven were injured and six were taken to hospital, including an 18-year-old who is in a critical condition with stab wounds and facial injuries. Several inmates climbed onto the roof of the comple­x, with nine detainees surrenderi­ng today.

Just before 5.30pm, riot squad officers accessed the roof where the remaining 11 detainees surrendered peacefully, NSW police said.

Police work to remove detainees from the roof. Picture: John Grainger

“With nightfall coming, due to safety risks for all involved, we decided­ it was time,” Superintendent John Gralton said.

A total of 20 male detainees aged between 16 and 20 were arrested and Superintendent Gralton said they would be charged with riot. The offence carries a 15-year maximum sentence.

The trade union which repres­ents prison guards said the offenders stole keys from an officer and took garden tools, including a hedge trimmer and shovels, from a maintenance shed at the state’s largest juvenile justice centre.

Inmates from the Frank Baxter Juvenile corrections centre Kariong taunt police from the roofs of various buildings. Picture: John Grainger

Public Service Association general secretary Stewart Little alleged­ yesterday that the group targeted sex offenders­ within the complex and described the riot as “nothing short of horrific”. “We have a juvenile justice system that has descended into chaos,” he said.

He called for a judicial inquiry into the juvenile system, noting it was not the first riot at the facility.

Families, Communities and Disability Services Minister Gareth­ Ward said the incident was unacceptable and the government was treating it seriously. He has asked for an urgent independent review, from former assistant commissioner Lee Shearer.

AAP