A large-scale police operation designed to tackle escalating youth crime rates in regional WA has been expanded to the Pilbara.
Operation Regional Shield was launched by the state government in response to rising youth crime rates in the regions, with children as young as 10 stealing cars and using them to ram police vehicles.
Since it was first rolled out to the Kimberley in February this year, 63 arrests have been made, and more than 100 charges have been laid.
It was launched in the Mid West and Gascoyne regions last week and has now been expanded to Hedland, with the potential for resources to be deployed elsewhere in the Pilbara.
But a Pilbara community leader says addressing crime cannot solely focus on a punitive approach.
WA Police Minister Paul Papalia said the operation allowed for targeted support to be provided in parts of the Pilbara grappling with the issue of youth crime.
"It's effectively everywhere … [the state] government has provided additional funding that enables police to throw capability wherever it's needed," he said.
"It might be additional officers to help give extra numbers on the ground, or it might be people like analysts. It might be some technology response."
Mr Papalia said there was not a set number of additional officers being deployed to the Pilbara, and the operation would be enforced over the next year.
Taxi business welcomes expansion
Last month, taxi drivers in Hedland went on a week-long strike and threatened to take further action if Operation Regional Shield was not brought to the Pilbara.
Ozi Taxis owner Kristi-Anne Spoljaric welcomed the operation's expansion.
"I am ecstatic that it's going to happen because we were told something like that it takes a while to get organised … we're very happy that we were heard," she said.
Ms Spoljaric said there was no longer a need to strike.
"It was the whole point of doing the strikes because we literally needed something major to happen … and make sure these kids are not running amuck," she said.
Approach needs more than "just arrests"
In the East Pilbara, Newman has previously been compared to a "war zone" due to rampant break-ins and car thefts.
Martu Christian Fellowship pastor John Wilmot said addressing juvenile crime needed a holistic approach and should not just be focused on punitive measures.
"We should be able to look at what the issues are and helping benefit [the kids] in accessing milestones, things like getting your licence, graduating, first job."
Mr Wilmot said youth crime was a complex issue that needed a collaborative approach between community and government.
"We can benefit the people doing it by understanding what's happening to them and putting something together that's fit for purpose," he said.
Mr Papalia said Operation Regional Shield was one out of four measures being implemented by the state government to address juvenile crime.
The other measures include an on-country sentencing option, where young offenders could be remanded closer to home, funding for community-led initiatives and support for families.
