Judith Collins National Party Clevedon MP

01 November 2005

More action needed to beat youth gangs

National Party Clevedon MP Judith Collins says the bid to beat serious youth gang violence in South Auckland has come too late.

"Youth violence and youth gangs in South Auckland aren't new. It's about time the community was protected by laws that hold young offenders to account.

"Lower the age of criminal responsibility to 12 and charge some of these young thugs as adults. Many are repeat offenders, they're known to the police and they know that under present laws they won't face the full consequences of their actions.

"National's youth justice policy also includes a pledge to expedite the Family Group Conference process, so that young, repeat and serious offenders face intervention far earlier.

"I do welcome the efforts of the local community to try to deal with this growing problem. Families and positive parenting will play a vital role in beating youth gangs.

"I also support the commitment for more social workers to identify the underlying causes of gang violence, but social workers are no substitute for laws that adequately protect the community from youth gangs," says Ms Collins.

ENDS

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