Wauchope residents call for action on youth crime

WAUCHOPE residents are urging police to respond to ongoing youth crime in the area following multiple calls to Triple Zero (000) allegedly falling on deaf ears.

“Crime is being ignored in Wauchope, and residents are tired,” Wauchope local Amy Murphy told News Of The Area.

“Residents in Bain Street, Walters Street, Waugh Street, and James Street are getting tired of a group of teenagers, who are well known to the police, running feral and damaging their property.“

Between 15-18 September, Amy alleges that approximately 40 calls were made to 000 by locals following concerns of a teen boy riding a dirt bike at high speeds during school pick-up.

The young man was reportedly doing wheelies and other dangerous stunts in the street, causing noise disturbances and leaving residents scared to leave their homes.

Concerns grew as the young rider narrowly missed colliding with multiple children as they walked home from school.

“Several residents called Triple Zero as they were watching him and waiting for their own children to come home from school,” said Amy.

“On Thursday afternoon, the police never arrived to investigate; they only sent links to the callers for them to upload security footage, videos and photos they managed to get.”

When presented with Amy’s concerns, a spokesperson for NSW Police told News Of The Area, “Police continue to see instances of illegal trail bike offences throughout the Mid North Coast – including the Wauchope area – and as a result have increased taskings of known ‘hot-spots’ of illegal trail-bike riding.

“Reckless behaviour by riders will not be tolerated by police, and riders breaking the law should expect police action in the form of infringements, charges, license suspensions or bike seizures.”

Residing in Wauchope for the past seven years, Amy is often home as she is the full-time carer to her two sons, both of whom have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

“I have noticed a higher number of teens pretending to walk to school, and then 20 minutes later walking back in the direction they have come,” said Amy.

“Or they come out later in the day yelling and screaming at each other, setting off all of the neighbourhood dogs.”

During the evening, residents report experiencing threatening yelling and screaming from behind the safety of their front doors into the early hours.

“They have broken into cars, houses, keyed cars, let down air in car tyres, and they have destroyed products from one of the local bakeries; they have threatened people’s lives,” Amy said.

After 12 Triple Zero calls were placed on the morning of Saturday, 20 September, following teens allegedly riding their bikes closely together at high speeds and targeting residents, a highway patrol officer finally arrived to speak with those concerned.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t the action they were hoping for.

“The residents who spoke to the highway patrol officer were informed that the police were simply too busy to attend, and the Triple Zero calls were marked in their system as a low priority, and that he would hang around for a while and keep watch,” Amy said.

The perceived lack of action from police has Amy and her neighbours considering leaving town.

“Some residents are considering selling their family homes and moving,” Amy said.

“Those who are renting and are in the financial position to move, have already begun looking for new properties.”

A spokesperson for NSW Police said the law enforcement agency is continually working to improve response times.

“The safety of the community is the first priority of the NSW Police Force, and we continually strive to exceed community expectations in our customer service delivery, which includes response times,” the spokesperson said.

Numerous factors can affect urgent response times including the number of urgent calls, distance of required travel, traffic congestion, weather events, and peak periods.

Response times may also be impacted when higher-risk situations, such as domestic violence or life-threatening incidents, are given priority

“Every Police District Commander is accountable for meeting the individual target response time for their district based on their First Response Agreements, which are benchmarked on international standards,” the spokesperson added.

NSW Police maintains regular operations targeting youth crime are being conducted throughout the district, including initiatives like Operation Soteria.

“Last weekend, six juveniles were arrested and dealt with under the Young Offenders Act during an Operation Soteria Surge on the Mid North Coast,” the spokesperson said.

“During the same operation, 35 traffic infringement notices were issued to a range of riders and drivers, and 10 bail compliance checks were conducted on known youths.

“These operations are regularly held on the Mid North Coast and will continue.”

Anyone with information about the illegal use of motorbikes on the Mid North Coast is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Anyone who witnesses dangerous driving where lives are at risk should contact Triple Zero (000) immediately. Reports assist police with ongoing investigations and future taskings.

By Rikki WALLER