Kids in crime hide behind their rights

 By ABIGAIL APINA 

THERE is a growing number of juveniles involved in crime in West New Britain, provincial police commander Samson Siguyaru said in Kimbe yesterday.

“People who have been committing crimes in the province are mostly juveniles,” he said.

An armed robbery in Kimbe last weekend involved three primary school male pupils.

The juveniles along with a young adult armed with staple guns (home-made) robbed K14,000 cash from Paradise Mart and ran off on foot.

Siguyaru said police acted promptly when alerted and manage to recover the money.

The three juveniles were captured on Sunday during investigations.

The juveniles were  aged 14, 15 and 16 and students of Kales Primary School.

Siguyaru said there was a growing concern in WNB as more and more juveniles were getting involved in criminal activities, particularly robberies and other serious ones.

He blamed this on media awareness about juvenile rights.

He said more children were becoming aware of their rights, taking advantage of them and actually abusing them to cause problems in the communities.

He said they knew that they couldn’t be arrested and charged unless their parents consented.

“They know police cannot do much to arrest and charge them because they are under-age and so getting involved in criminal activities is not hard for them knowing police hands are tied.

“We cannot do much unless their parents give us their consent to arrest and charge them,” Siguyaru said.

He said this was getting serious, adding that relevant authorities should consider amending laws that cover juveniles and their rights.

“We have to look into this. This is serious,” he said. 

“We cannot continue to sit back and watch these kids robbing us knowing that police cannot do much to them when they are caught.” 

“These kids are taking full advantage because they are now aware.”