Ochre restaurant owner Craig Squire to pay for security patrols after alleged assault on staff

A Cairns restaurant owner has made the decision to pay for security patrols after a group of children allegedly assaulted two staff members.

A Cairns restaurant owner has decided to fork out for security patrols after two of his staff were allegedly assaulted by a gang of youths.

Owner of Ochre Modern Australian Dining restaurant Craig Squire confirmed two of his staff members were injured and taken to hospital following an altercation with a group of children.

“The oldest was 13 and the youngest seemed to be under 10. They came along the boardwalk and caused trouble from Mondo’s through to Blue Marlin damaging things and throwing furniture in the inlet,” Mr Squire said.

“My staff went over and asked ‘hey, what are you doing,’ and ended up getting punched in the face and grabbed around the head.”
Mr Squire said the group, who appeared to have armed themselves beforehand, began throwing rocks at other staff and glass.

“They broke a ceramic pot and used a shard to stab my manager. Then that (shard) was also put to his neck,” Mr Squire said.

He said staff from the Boatshed and Blue Marlin came over and told the group to stop and eventually the group ran away.

“Police were called and council CCTV tracked them down somewhere where five of them were taken in. A couple of staff members’ phone’s were stolen during the scuffle,” Mr Squire said.

The two staff members injured in the incident have not yet returned to work.
“I’m sorry for the staff and what happened to them,” he said.

Ochre Modern Australian Dining restaurant owner Craig Squire has decided to hire security to protect staff and customers at his restaurant. Picture: Brendan Radke

He blamed the government for not handling youth justice matters as strongly as it should.

“I could go on about the broken system like a broken record. I believe these kids should be taken away from urban areas and educated, looked after and shown love and discipline over the ridiculous situation with resi care and Cleveland,” he said.

“The system’s completely broken and the government is strongly at fault. Social media is exacerbating it. It’s poorly managed and regional Queensland is copping the brunt of it.”

He said the group of restaurants along the boardwalk have met with a security company to organise their own protection.

“The most important thing is that we don’t scare the patrons away from this precinct,” he said.
“From (Thursday), there will be security protecting our customers and staff, which is disappointing, but we have to have the security when the government and authorities can’t manage it themselves.”
A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said investigations were ongoing.

“Police are investigating an alleged assault and stealing offences outside a dining precinct on Pier Point Road, Cairns City around 10.20pm on July 11,” she said.

“Initial investigations suggest a group of juveniles were causing a disturbance and when three people tried to intervene, they were assaulted by the group.

“Personal items were allegedly stolen during the incident before the alleged offenders decamped on foot.

“Five juveniles between the ages of 12 and 14 have been spoken to by police.

Investigations are ongoing.

Originally published as Ochre restaurant owner Craig Squire to pay for security patrols after alleged assault on staff