Crouch calls for stronger, more practical response to youth crime

With youth crime continuing to be a significant concern for the community, Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch renewed his calls in the latest sitting of State Parliament for the NSW Government to take stronger action on the issue.

Crouch highlighted the personal experiences of locals who reached out to him following a recent spike in crimes earlier in the year and called for practical responses to the increase in youth crime.

“It is the right of every individual to feel safe and protected in their own home, but unfortunately, a growing number of people do not feel this way following the recent spate of crimes of opportunity in our community,” he told Parliament.

“People in our community are demanding action, they want to be able to feel safe in their homes, and that is why it was so important to raise this issue in Parliament.

“The Minns Labor Government talks big on acting on youth crime and supporting young people at risk of crime, but as usual, there are only big announcements that are light on details and substance,” Crouch said.

He said that following months of government inaction, the NSW Opposition forced the Minns Labor Government to establish an inquiry into regional and rural crime to enable a whole-of-government approach to escalating crime in regions like the Central Coast.

“Frustratingly, this government had to be forced to the table after initially refusing calls to launch an inquiry into regional crime,” Crouch said.

“The inquiry will explore the root causes of youth crime, examine services available for youth and families in the regions while also addressing pressures faced by law enforcement in tackling crime.”

During his speech in Parliament, Crouch recounted the stories of locals who had written to him about their concerns, including a mother of three, Celeste, whose home had recently been broken into.

“These criminals had broken in, stolen butchers’ knives from Celeste’s kitchen and wandered around the family home while Celeste, her husband and her three young children were sound asleep,” Crouch said.

“The most concerning part of Celeste’s story is that six teenage boys were later arrested in relation to her case, aged between 14 and 17 – a frightening thought.”

Crouch said that he had written to the NSW Attorney General Michael Daley to raise the community’s concerns, and that he would continue to call on the Minns Labor Government to take concrete steps to addressing youth crime.

“We need strong action on youth crime, but we also need proper investment into early intervention methods to prevent at-risk young people from becoming involved in a life of crime.

“The regional crime inquiry will be a significant step toward identifying effective measures to reduce youth crime in our region and address broader criminal activity.

“I want to express my deep thanks to the community members who bravely came forward to tell their stories, which have now been provided to the Shadow Minister for Police for the inquiry,” Crouch said.