Youth crime wave in Alice Springs leaves devastated businesses and “disappointed” residents

The manager of an Alice Springs glazing business says he is heartbroken after a weekend of destruction that saw numerous businesses attacked and car windows smashed.

Paul Cilka, manager of Neata Glass, says his store was one of several in Alice Springs that were trespassed on over the weekend.

He expects tens of thousands of dollars in damage after a group of six people vandalized his store and the offices next door.

“They smashed the automatic door … it looks like they used a hammer,” Mr Cilka said.

Mr Cilka claimed the office next door was ransacked before those responsible tried to open a safe with an axe and an angle grinder.

“They just demolished the whole place,” he said.

Trail of devastation

In addition, on Saturday night, the premises of the auctioneer Pickles were entered without authorization, up to 30 vehicles were damaged and the premises were devastated.

A 66-year-old woman is also said to have been the victim of a trespassing incident at 10 a.m. on Sunday morning while she was sleeping in her bedroom.

Northern Territory Police say two assailants broke into her front door and attempted to steal her car keys before fleeing with the woman's handbag.

Authorities also responded to several disturbances during the Central Australian Football League community men's final on Sunday afternoon.

According to police, three people were arrested and charged for appearing armed in public after the game, which was attended by hundreds of people from surrounding remote communities.

Police said it was “too early” to judge whether the crimes were related to the influx of visitors.

“We urge anyone with information about the weekend's incidents to report any suspicious activity to assist our investigation,” a police spokesman said.

“Too young to press charges”

Mr Cilka praised police for their thorough investigation into the break-in at his store, but said he was “disappointed” at the lack of consequences.

“On Saturday, the forensics team came, looked at the footage and said, ‘You are too young to press charges,’ and [the perpetrators] Just walk away and get away with it,” he said.

The crime wave followed a promise by the Country Liberal Party, which was overwhelmingly elected to government in Saturday night's election, to take a tough stance in the region.

These include lowering the age of criminal responsibility back to ten years, tightening bail laws and introducing diversionary measures such as boot camps.

Alice Springs-based Federal Labor MP Marion Scrymgour said she hoped to work with the incoming Prime Minister to tackle the crime problem, but she feared governments risk being too “punitive” towards young people.

“I think it's time we developed good policies and comprehensive programs to hold parents accountable,” she said.

“We do not want [young people] in the prison system, but we have to do something.”