Expanded patrols to protect Kununurra youth

Night patrols will be expanded in Kununurra to deter children from roaming the streets late at night.

  • $97,000 funding for Kununurra night youth patrols
  • East Kimberley arm of Save the Children to operate patrols

Night patrols will be expanded in Kununurra to deter children from roaming the streets late at night.


Child Protection Minister Robyn McSweeney said the State Government had provided $97,000 to the East Kimberley arm of Save the Children, which would operate the patrols starting this weekend.


The patrols will transport children back to a safe place, their parents, carers or family members and offer guidance to young people to refrain from risk-taking behaviours like alcohol and drug use, juvenile delinquency, exchanging sex for favours and violence.


"Children on the streets at night is an ongoing issue in Kununurra where young people are exposing themselves to risk and in some cases getting involved in criminal behaviour," Mrs McSweeney said.


"The aim of the youth patrol is to prevent harm to children, reach them before they get into trouble, provide youth intervention and maintain community peace and safety."


The Minister said young people roamed the streets at night because of an unsafe home life, alcohol abuse by parents, family violence, neglect, lack of parental care and boredom.


Mrs McSweeney said the patrols would have links to the Miriwoong Gajirrabeng Youth Worker Project (MGYWP) in Kununurra, which included the Waringarri Chilling Space, overseen by Save the Children.


MGYWP offers a range of programs and diversionary activities to help reduce juvenile crime and promote social and cultural development among young people.


        Fact File

  • Patrols between 10pm-2.30am three nights a week, including Friday and Saturday
  • Data on the children will be provided to the Department for Child Protection, to allow workers to visit parents at homes where there may be child protection concerns
  • Patrols will link into the Kununurra interagency group 'Community Response for Our Children' (CROC) team made up of Child Protection, WA Police, Save the Children, Youth Justice, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School and Kununurra District High School

Minister's office - 9222 8950