Cockburn councillor Chamonix Terblanche with the petition. Photo: Jon Hewson. d492906 communitypix.com.au.
Camera IconCockburn councillor Chamonix Terblanche with the petition. Photo: Jon Hewson. d492906 communitypix.com.au. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Cockburn petition calls for tougher youth crime laws

Jessica NicoCockburn Gazette

A PETITION has started in Cockburn, condemning recent youth violence and asking the State Government to create tougher penalties.

City of Cockburn councillor Chamonix Terblanche and local resident Ursula Smit created the petition, which asks the State Legislative Council to review the Young Offenders Act 1994 and make the necessary reform to curb youth crime.

Teenage girls fighting and trying to break into charity tins and a teenage boy becoming disorderly after he was asked to leave a clothing store are two incidents that occurred at Cockburn Gateway Shopping City in April alone, with shoppers and local residents taking to social media with concerns not enough was being done to prevent poor behaviour.

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“The ongoing violence has caused great concern for Cockburn residents, many not even going to the Cockburn CBD anymore as a result,” Cr Terblanche said.

“Youth know that there are no consequences for them when committing a crime, as a result they are rampantly doing what they wish.

“I realised that someone needs to drive change and this petition is a way that the community can actively do something about the problem and not only complain about it on social media.”

Cr Terblanche said they planned to hand the petition to the legislative council next month.

“Support is coming thick and fast from residents across Cockburn and even beyond since the petition call relates to all youth across WA,” she said.

“It is time the politicians step up and take a stance against youth crime.”

The petition can be found at the health shop across from Aldi at Cockburn Gateway until May 20.