Questions are being raised over a lack of parental control after reports of antisocial behaviour at Dee Why.
Yesterday evening (Tuesday, 04 August), NSW Police were called for a group of around half-a-dozen boys aged 12–13 who were behaving in an antisocial manner in the Dee Why town centre.
The group initially started raising attention with escalating antisocial behaviour, which began around 5.30pm at Woolworths, Howard Avenue, where they created a disturbance through yelling and confrontational behaviour.
The boys allegedly attempted to make entry to the residential area of the Lighthouse building before being challenged and leaving.
They were then reported to head down Howard Avenue, where they allegedly threw a rock towards a pregnant woman on the street. The rock did not strike her, and when her partner challenged the boys, they apologised.
The boys then proceeded to Dee Why Parade, where police were called shortly before 6.00pm after they were alleged to be throwing objects at cars and people on the street.
The group then congregated in an alley behind shops at Howard Avenue, Dee Why, where they were allegedly found by the shopkeeper of a convenience store rummaging through items, which included a delivery to a mobile phone store.
When challenged, the boys allegedly assaulted the shopkeeper and took his mobile phone before fleeing the scene. Police had already been called by a passerby however, and the boys were located near the southbound B-Line bus stop at Pittwater Road, Dee Why.
The shopkeeper’s phone was recovered by police near the bus stop, and a 12-year-old boy was arrested by police and taken to Dee Why Police Station.
A NSW Police spokesperson said following inquiries, the boy was released with a caution under the Young Offenders Act 1997.
Public commentary on social media has become increasingly concerned with the lack of consequences for young offenders, and the apparent lack of parental control of children.
Your Say
Have you experienced an encounter involving antisocial behaviour?
Images: Northern Beaches Advocate
What did you miss this week?
Get the week's news delivered free to your inbox every Saturday. Subscribe to our free email newsletter.
