Riot penalties increased after town locked down Nigel Adlam 29 Dec 07 CIVIL DISTURBANCE: Rioters took to the streets of Wadeye on Christmas Day and Boxing Day this week
PENALTIES for violent disorder are to be doubled following a spate of Christmas riots at a remote Territory community. Chief Minister Paul Henderson flew to Wadeye, 250km southwest of Darwin, yesterday to speak to police on the ground. He later announced that the punishment for rioting would be increased from 12 months' jail to two years. The NT Government will also look at other measures to deal with repeat offenders. The community was wracked by rioting on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Large gangs of young men, many of them armed, had to be dispersed by police after gathering near the store in Main Street. No injuries have been reported.
Mr Henderson told the Northern Territory News the community council and elders had a genuine commitment to end the violence. He said the council was disappointed that the community was suffering disorder despite big improvements in housing and education. "A line is being drawn in the sand - this kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable," he said. Police are expected to make a string of arrests in Wadeye over the next few days. Three men have already been arrested and charged with going armed in public, disorderly behaviour and engaging in violent conduct. Three additional police officers have been deployed to the community from Peppimenarti. More officers were expected to arrive last night. Police said they had drawn up an "arrest plan". It is believed police want to beef up their numbers in case there is trouble when they move in to make arrests. Mr Henderson said the situation was under control and people had returned to their homes. He said rioters would "face the full force of the law". The Chief Minister congratulated police for their handling of the trouble. Quote this article on your site | Views: 244 | Print | E-mail
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