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Children terrifying the elderly in Featherston

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 8:43a.m.

One 86-year-old returned serviceman said he was too scared to go out at night

Child thugs, some as young as six years old, are being accused of vandalism, arson and trying to extort money from elderly residents in the Wairarapa town of Featherston.

One 86-year-old returned serviceman said he was too scared to go out at night because he would be a good target on his mobility scooter.

"I live alone and I can't even go out for a beer of a night - it's too dangerous going home. They've just got control of the place," he told APNZ.

Featherston fire chief Colin McKenna said children as young as six had been seen wandering the streets until 2am and he had seen children trying to extort money from people.

Sergeant Kevin Basher said that about six months ago a core of three or four troublemakers, with up to 15 others, began causing trouble.

They had been lighting fires, stealing, damaging property and abusing people.

Police, CYF and South Wairarapa Safer Community Council were trying to resolve the problem, but it came back to parental control, he said.

"We're taking a holistic approach, looking at the families and into such things as whether these kids are getting three meals a day, have a bed to sleep in with clean sheets."

NZN

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12 Jan 2012 04:04p.m.

hawk wrote:

BoB, Im so sorry you had that bad experience at school, but remember Bob, it wasnt God that gave you that bad experience but the evil or worped intent of humanity. Christ is most definately there to restore and heal, to give you a new and whole life again. It you return to Him, He most definately looks after and protects those that truely love him and KNOW Him.

12 Jan 2012 02:00p.m.

featherston resident wrote:

I live in Featherston and see the damage these children are doing on a daily basis. Their parents just dont care where they are or what they are up to because they are too busy drinking and taking drugs not to mention abusing anyone who dares to stand up to their little darlings. The local police do all they can it's other agencies who need to step in and remove these children from their parents so that they can have guidelines and rules. The holistic approach in my opinion is a load of **** these kids are criminals and if they are not stoppped now it will just increase until somebody is badly hurt or more. As a parent myself I know where my children are at all times and even my teenagers aren't allowed to raom the streets after dark. Glad to see this issue finally bought to the publics attention.

12 Jan 2012 01:31p.m.

Jo wrote:

Oh darn...how often do you have to change the sheets lest you are deemed a bad parent? (parents around NZ quiver in await of clarification)

12 Jan 2012 01:27p.m.

jan wrote:

arrest the children simple. the parents should have 90% culpability, but children know right from wrong even if they have not learnt it from there parents. If children as young as 6 are out on the streets at 2 in the morning, then parents are at fault. If the police know who the troublemakers are why aren't they doing something? poncey group hugs and talks are not going to sort these little shits out. I know if I lived in Featherston and knew who they were, well i will leave it at that. Hope the police sleep soundly because they could be next from these aholes, oh thats right they have the invinsility sheild of a uniform when other town folk are not allowed to retaliate. sort it out featherson. If this returned serviceman is to scared to go out, then cancel ANZAC day because the town and the cops especially, obviously don't appreciate what he and the others have done for this country.

12 Jan 2012 12:52p.m.

bOb wrote:

@ gale Oh please if parents looked after their children like god looks after us the government would be stepping in and taking children away the moment they came out of the womb. Any smart kid/adult/pedo preacher realizes if there is no immediate repercussions for their actions they can get away with hell. At catholic school it was't god who kept me in line it was the holder of the ruler. At least keep it real gale.

12 Jan 2012 12:43p.m.

Max wrote:

"We're taking a holistic approach, looking at the families and into such things as whether these kids are getting three meals a day, have a bed to sleep in with clean sheets." Haha i think theres more to it than just that even if it were maybe they should then be taken off their parents for not looking after their basic needs. Its more likely hands off parenting than lack of food and .... clean sheets /facepalm.

12 Jan 2012 12:22p.m.

gale wrote:

the cause is they have rejected god they bring the children up in the way of the devil today instead of the way of the lord . then scratch their stupid heads and say i wonder why these children are like this .they dont need psycology they dont need counciling they need the life of christ acts 2v38 .

12 Jan 2012 12:04p.m.

hawk wrote:

solution is simple for these kids. Prosecute the parents. They are the ones to blame. Then put them into some form of christain basic skills program to teach them how to be parents. Most dont even know how to cook. People have become very unloving and self focused.

12 Jan 2012 12:01p.m.

Erm... wrote:

The trouble is that there is too much pussying around and not enough punishment. Punish the little sods – no playstation, no tv – instead of having a conference and finding someone else to blame.
My kids don’t get into trouble because they know they would be in more trouble at home after the event.

12 Jan 2012 10:14a.m.

Shocked wrote:

It's such a cop out to put the blame on the older generation! Even if they have done harm, the parents of these kids are adults and need to take responsibility. Poverty, alcohol, drugs, and boredom, probably play a big part in the situation. The government (and all New Zealanders) need to do more to improve these social issues, because they impact on the safety and freedom of our society. How bad does it have to get?