Bourke Shire Council Mayor Barry Holman has said courts are “failing” communities as he reveals children as young as six are alleged to have committed crimes in Bourke.

“People don’t feel safe at night” Clr Holman told the Western Plains App. “Between the vehicle theft and the home break-ins, people don’t feel safe in their homes”.

Cr Holman said that there was an urgent need to address the the number of young offenders, with reports of children as young as six and seven committing crimes.

Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) data showed people aged between 10 and 17 were the biggest offending demographic in Bourke in 2022, committing 82 per cent of all break-and-enters.

The council veteran says that he believes police are doing a good job, but the court system “doesn’t appear to be working”.

“Too often Magistrates are overriding police bail. It means the children are being brought to the court again and again when they are on bail for another offence”.

His comments coincide with calls from the Country Mayors Association of New South Wales, the Police Association of New South Wales and NSW Farmers to call for a Parliamentary Inquiry into crime, law and order in rural and regional New South Wales.

“We absolutely need to hold an inquiry” Cr Holman said.

Break and enters are up 300% in Bourke since July 2018.  

Intimidation, stalking and harassment charges have nearly doubled since that time.

Assaults, domestic violence assaults, breaches of apprehended violence orders and motor vehicle theft have also increased.

Bourke not alone

Walgett Shire Council mayor Jasen Ramien told the Western Plains App he supports calls for a parliamentary inquiry.

“It’s become a real problem. Country people already have to deal with floods, fire and drought. They work hard for what they have without having it taken away from them”.

Cr Ramien wants the inquiry to look at extending the options available to police.

Break and enters have dropped in Walgett, but malicious damage to property, weapons offences and assaults remain high.

“I’d like to see the police be granted more powers” he said.

Other communities have also been grappling with the rise in some categories of offences since COVID restrictions eased, with groups in both Baradine and Coonamble recently calling for more attention to be given to reducing crime and improving community safety.