A Cairns GP says juvenile offenders don’t even have regard for themselves after her clinic’s window was smashed and the centre broken into.
Nationals Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollands says government officials need to address Australia’s youth crime crisis because young Australians aren’t getting the help they need. “These kids have very high rates of neurological problems; they have learning problems, impulse control problems, information processing problems and mental health disorders,” Ms Hollands told Sky News host Chris Kenny. “They’re not getting help for those problems and so things get out of whack, and they end up on the streets.”
Dr Rajlakshmi Rajpal, co owner and general practitioner at Harmony Family Medical Centre, said the site was targeted on Monday night by two young people — a male and female — in what she labelled a “brazen” attack.
She said it was the first such case since they opened in 2022.
“In all honesty, we were really upset, you don’t want to be greeted by that,” she said.
“We saw the video footage and they were not camera shy in any way.”
Two youngsters were seen breaking in, going through the treatment room and reception area, leaving damaged glass in their wake, she said.
It did not stop work at the clinic the next day but disruptions were inevitable as repairs had to be undertaken and staff could not use the tea room.
“We were angry initially but after the repairman pointed out that a slightly bigger crack would have resulted in the whole 8mm glass shattering on them, what was more concerning is they don’t even care about themselves.”
Dr Raj Rajpal from the Harmony Family Medical Centre photographed last year. Picture Emily Barker
Dr Rajpal who has lived and worked in several regions across the state said the problem of break-ins and petty crime was particularly stark in Cairns, even compared to Mt Isa where her family felt safe enough to leave their doors unlocked.
Looking at CCTV footage, Dr Rajpal said it was “eye-opening”, considering there was security in place, from regular patrol checks to fencing.
“I still wonder how they got in,” she said.
“We have fences and barbed wire.
“They must have gotten hurt.”
Dr Rajpal said no money and little medication was kept on premises and the offenders had left with just scissors.
“Perhaps it was a weapon to protect themselves from getting caught,” she said.
Shattered window at Harmony Family Medical Centre in Cairns on June 5 used by youth crims to break and enter premises. Picture: Facebook
Shattered glass due to a break-in at Harmony Family Medical Centre in Cairns on June 5. Picture: Facebook
Dr Rajpal believes it was a case of misled youth having neither fear of consequences nor fear for their own personal safety.
“For us, the glass was repaired in some time and we are back to a normal day but what about these kids? Where are we heading to, where are they heading to?”
The incident comes after a string of businesses were broken in to last weekend on Sheridan Street, including a cafe and an Australia Post office.
A QPS spokeswoman confirmed police are investigating a break and enter at a medical centre at Bungalow.
“Around 8.20pm on June 5 two people, a male and possibly a female, broke a window and entered the Mulgrave Road business moving through various rooms in the premises,” she said.
“It is unclear if anything has been stolen.”
Investigations are ongoing and police are appealing for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 referencing QP2300932310.
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