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(By Jacob Bush - Bond University Journalism Student)
Police have arrested a 15-year-old boy for three separate robberies in Varsity Lakes
Senior Sergeant Andrew Frick of Robina Police Station said the boy stole laptops and wallets off four international Bond University students on the bridge near Lake Orr.
“There were a group of mates and they ganged up on the Bond students, however the group dissociated themselves from the offence,” he said.
Another boy involved in the incidents would be spoken to by police, he said.
Senior Sergeant Frick said there wasn't necessarily gangs around the area but there were gatherings of youth's with common interests.
“We call it opportunistic crime and it's hard to find a place where it doesn't happen,” he said.
Senior Sergeant Frick said he believed boredom was not an excuse for youth crime in the area, but it was the changing shape of society.
“Society is just evolving and children are always going to be bored, even I got bored when I was a child,” he said.
To combat crime in the area, a neighborhood watch program was launched on March 6.
“The neighborhood program will open the lines of communication, encouraging neighbors to be aware of suspicious behavior and report it to the police,” he said.
“It brings back old style values.”
Senior Sergeant Frick said opportunistic crime doesn't happen all the time but the police remained vigilant.
“We always patrol the hot spots and we do our part to combat street violence,” he said.
Only one item has been retreived since the robberies and the boy will appear in Southport Children's Court at a later date, Senior Sergeant Frick said.
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