Children as young as five are now involved in violent car theft incidents in regional New South Wales, prompting concerns from police and community leaders. The rise in motor vehicle thefts by juveniles has increased by nearly 25% a year over the past five years, with incidents becoming more frequent and more violent. Premier Chris Minns has introduced controversial bail laws to address the issue, making it harder for 14 to 18-year-olds to receive bail if they commit a crime while already on bail for a serious offense. The police have also deployed additional resources, such as the riot squad, to combat the escalating youth crime problem in towns like Moree.
Moree, a town with a history of tension between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, is at the center of this youth crime issue. The town’s Indigenous community lives in a disadvantaged area south of the river, where crime rates are high. The legacy of past events such as the 1965 pool standoff and the Slaughterhouse Creek massacre continues to fuel social division and racism in Moree. The recent trial and inquest into the death of a Gomeroi man have reignited tensions between the community and the police, underscoring the need for a more nuanced approach to addressing youth crime in the town.
Despite being a prosperous agricultural town, with high crime rates, Moree struggles with social issues that contribute to youth crime. Community leaders like Mekayla Cochrane advocate for a more supportive and holistic approach to tackling youth crime, rather than relying solely on tough-on-crime measures. The Aboriginal Legal Service opposes the new bail laws, emphasizing the need for better-coordinated services that address issues such as housing, education, and trauma. Moree Plains Shire Council is leading efforts to implement intervention strategies for at-risk young people, including a bail accommodation facility to provide supervision and support for children on bail.
Moree Plains Shire Mayor Mark Johnson acknowledges the youth crime problem in Moree but emphasizes the importance of ensuring that these kids have positive opportunities for the future. The council’s research highlighted a lack of collaboration between services in Moree and the need for round-the-clock support for at-risk youth. The council’s pilot intervention program aims to provide supervised accommodation and services to prevent youth from re-offending. Police are also focused on ensuring professionalism and proportionate use of force when dealing with minors involved in serious offenses, recognizing the complexity of the situations they face in regional youth crime operations like Operation Mongoose. Overall, addressing the root causes of youth crime in Moree requires a comprehensive and community-driven approach that supports vulnerable young people and promotes social cohesion in the town.
