Young people who repeatedly commit criminal acts in Victoria are in the sights of the state government, with Jacinta Allan unveiling a “tough new regime” to improve community safety.
Victorian Police will be given powers to conduct random weapons searches in certain targeted areas.
These will be larger areas such as shopping centres and train stations.
This comes amid the growing youth crime crisis in Victoria.
Ms Allan revealed the stance as she unveiled the key components of Victoria’s first standalone youth justice bill that Labor is introducing to parliament on Tuesday.
In a bid to allay community concerns about youth crime, Ms Allan said the new laws “will mean stronger consequences for serious, high-risk repeat offenders”.
Ms Allan confirmed there would be a two year trial of electronic monitoring for young offenders released on bail, and new sentencing principles to prioritise victims.
“This bill will support a tough new regime for serious and repeat youth offenders. For example the mandatory diversionary program and electronic monitoring,” she said.
Jacinta Allan has unveiled youth justice reforms in Victoria. Picture: NewsWire / Valeriu Campan
The electronic monitoring will be complemented with what the government has termed “more intensive bail supervision” to help fix underlying causes of offending.
An extra magistrate will be added to the children’s court to hear cases of repeat youth criminals.
A youth justice victims register will also be established to better update victims, while also helping to inform decisions of the Youth Parole Board.
The government has further moved to ensure those who recruit children to carry out criminal acts can be prosecuted at 18, with the age lowered from 21.
Ms Allan said the youth justice reforms were also aimed at ensuring young people can turn their lives around, instead of becoming hardened criminals into their adult life.
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Institute of Public Affairs Daniel Wild has raised concerns about the “crime problem” in Victoria.
Mr Wild said the issue in the state they are “locking up the wrong people”.
“Over a third of those in jail are there for low risk, no violent offences,” Mr Wild told Sky News host Rita Panahi.
“They’d be much better out of jail and in work making a contribution.
“At the same time, we’ve got dangerous violent criminals on the streets.”
While police can still lay charges, there will also be able to use warnings, cautions and early diversion to address anti-social behaviour before it puts the community at risk.
“This is about delivering a youth justice system that keeps Victorians safe,” the Premier said.
“And yes, that does mean holding young offenders to account, while also seeing those who are less likely to continue to reoffend, keeping those kids out of the criminal justice system.
“Stopping them from becoming hardened adult offenders is going to be a key feature of this bill. The evidence tells us that’s good for the young person but it’s what strengthens community safety.”
Victoria Police will have more tools at their disposal to address youth crime. Picture: Chris Putnam/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Ms Allan also affirmed the government’s commitment to raising the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12.
Meanwhile, the government is also mulling changes to the Control of Weapons Act to crackdown on knife crime, including the introduction of permanent designated areas where police can search a person for weapons without a warrant.
“The changes we are outlining, which is a direct response to a request from Victoria Police, is to make sure they can designate areas more often, that they can stay there longer, that they can return to designated areas,” Police Minister Anthony Carbines said.
“We will introduce legislation along those lines later this year.”