Thefts rise linked to youngsters

Kwinana police have linked a dramatic increase in thefts of more than 100 per cent with youth as young as 10 years of age.

“Absolutely alarming” were words used by Senior Sergeant Glen Willers to describe the 127 per cent increase in thefts for the period of July to November this year compared to last year, rising from 206 to 468, and a burglary increase of 64.5 per cent, from 110 to 181.

“Our own analysis of what is going on is telling us a significant amount of these crimes are clearly being committed by kids between 10 to 15-years-old — stealing from cars with just little bits of property stolen, home break-ins where only little bits of money are taken,” he said.

To combat the situation, Sen. Sgt Willers said Kwinana police had initiated Operation Scramble.

“It is not going to be tolerated; there is just no excuse for kids to be walking around late at night or during the day, when they should be at school,” he said.

“That is going to be our focus this summer, because it is having a significant effect on our crime.”

Sen. Sgt Willers said the station could arrest up to 12 youth a week and the situation was both frustrating and sad for all parties involved.

“Something has to be done, we have to deal with underlying causes of crime,” he said.

“We are going to try and point them in the right direction, we are going to work with Tim Ellis from PCYC and try and get these kids into programs.”