CLP calls for more programs to curb recidivist youths

New data shows more than half of all youths arrested in the first 100 days of new crime-fighting laws were already on bail, leading to calls for even tougher penalties.

NEW crime data has shown 44 youths already on bail were arrested for committing an offence and then subsequently bailed again in just two-and-a-half months.

The CLP has seized on the figures to suggest the government’s youth bail reforms have failed, while Police Minister Nicole Manison said there were “positive early signs” that juvenile crime was improving.

Data released by the CLP showed that between May 15 and August 1, 100 youths were arrested 122 times. 62 arrests were occasions when the youth offender was already on bail. In 44 instances, bail was granted again.

The figures show nine youths were arrested twice, five arrested three times and one youth was arrested four times.

CLP Territory Families spokesman Joshua Burgoyne said the figures showed a need for an even further toughening of laws, including making breach of bail an offence.

Josh (Joshua) Burgoyne, Braitling MLA, CLP, Country Liberals.

Mr Burgoyne also urged the government to implement youth diversion programs that Labor promised to put into law prior to the 2020 election.

“Currently the only options are youth detention or out on bail again,” he said.

“We want to see more programs so that when a young person does go in front of the youth justice system, they have options.”

Mr Burgoyne said a number of programs promised by Labor in the most recent NT election had yet to be delivered.

“What we want to see our programs put in place – programs that the government before the last election spruiked as their get-tough-on-crime approach,” he said.

Mines Minister Nicole Manison said the data showed positive signs. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Responding to the CLP’s claims, Ms Manison said feedback from the frontline was that the situation was improving.

“What we’re seeing is that people are being more accountable to their bail,” she said.

Ms Manison also rejected that the government had not delivered on its pre-election commitments, saying programs like victims conferencing and work camps were a “powerful tool when it comes to stopping youth offending”.

“We know that 70 per cent of the kids who participate in victims conferencing will not reoffend after 12 months.”

Originally published as CLP calls for more programs to curb recidivist youths