Premier Jeremy Rockliff has pledged immediate action to address escalating youth violence in Hobart’s northern suburbs, following a third alleged gang assault in less than two weeks.
The latest incident occurred at Glenorchy Big W on Sunday, where a youth reportedly suffered minor injuries after a verbal altercation involving multiple alleged attackers.
“We cannot have people too scared to go shopping,” Rockliff said.
“It’s not going to be tolerated.”
Rockliff will meet with Police Minister Felix Ellis and Police Commissioner Donna Adams tomorrow to discuss a plan forward, saying community safety is “absolutely paramount”.
“We need safer communities and increased police presence is one of those actions which we are committing to. But there are other matters that we need to consider and all options are on the table.
“That includes looking at Adult Crime, Adult Time laws, which are working well in Queensland currently.”
New Queensland Government figures released today show a 32% drop in cases against children charged with serious offences in the three months following implementation of their tougher youth crime laws.
The laws include adult sentences for children convicted of certain offences, including grievous bodily harm, wounding, serious assault, burglary, manslaughter and murder.
Premier Rockliff says additional police resources are being deployed to Glenorchy in the meantime, with increased patrols underway.
Independent Elwick MLC Bec Thomas said she was “shaking” with anger after hearing of the third attack on Sunday evening.
“I have been on the phone to the Premier, Jeremy Rockliff this evening, to advise him and urge him to act to keep our community safe,” she said at the time.
“He assures me he is taking this very seriously and will update me as to the Government’s plans to address it, this week.”
‘I won’t stop jumping up and down about this until things change. Take care, everyone.”
State Labor has welcomed the Premier’s promise of extra police resources in Glenorchy, but claims it is a “band-aid solution”.
‘At the same time youth crime is rising, the minority Rockliff Government is cutting the resources police have to deal with it while also cancelling early intervention programs for young people at risk of crime related activities,” Shadow Police Minister Jen Butler said.
“The Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management will be required to find $35 million of cuts over the next four years and is budgeting to spend $12 million less on staff than they actually spent last year. That’s the equivalent of 100 police officers.”
