A criminal lawyer has issued an alert for parents to remain cautious during school holidays, as incidents of youth crime typically rise during these breaks. Avinash Singh, principal lawyer at Astor Legal, noted that the most prevalent offences include property damage, assault, and retail theft. He emphasised that there is often a significant increase in youth-related crimes when school is out, attributing this trend to factors like reduced supervision and a lack of structured activities for young people.
Singh remarked that many of these offences occur spontaneously and are frequently committed in groups. Shopping centres and public transport networks are identified as primary locations where these activities take place. He observed situations where adults intervening on public transport to manage unruly youth often lead to confrontations, resulting in assaults against the adults involved.
A concerning incident recently highlighted the issue when a 13-year-old was hospitalised in Sydney due to severe injuries stemming from a dangerous stunt known as “buffer riding,” where youths hang from moving trains. This behaviour raises alarms about the risks association with youth delinquency during holiday periods.
To combat this trend, Singh recommended that parents consider enrolling their children in extracurricular activities. Engaging youth in sports or organised excursions can help maintain a structured routine and steer them towards positive social interactions. As the April school holidays began on April 3, with students set to return on April 22, parents are encouraged to proactively manage their children’s activities to help prevent involvement in anti-social behaviours.