Police say they are doing everything they can to stamp out a surge in youth crime in Sydney’s inner west that has frustrated business owners and locals.
A 14-year-old girl has been charged with assault after a cafe worker was forced to fight off a gang in Glebe.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Sydney locals urged to work together to stamp out youth crime surge.
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“We’ve been asking the police for assistance on various occasions. This is nothing new,” the worker told 7NEWS.
Police on Tuesday arrested a 12-year-old boy over a recent attack on an Uber delivery driver – but he can’t be charged because he is too young.
“They have no fear. They absolutely have no fear. And that’s what’s the scary thing. They feel like they’re invincible,” the cafe worker said of the youth gangs.
Police say they are doing everything they can but when it comes to young at-risk individuals, there needs to be a concerted, societal effort to instil a sense of belonging and purpose in youths.
It comes as two teens were charged under NSW’s new “post and boast” laws for allegedly stealing luxury cars from a Dural home.
It means they could face an additional two years in jail.
“It’s not an easy fix,” Balmain MP Kobi Shetty said of youth crime.
“We’ve all got to work together as a community with the police and our local community organisations to try and steer these kids in the right direction.”