WORLD: Eight boys, aged 11-13, steal car for joyride, throw stones at police and escape criminal charges

Eight boys, aged 11-13, have avoided criminal charges after they stolen a car and took it for a joyride in Alice Springs, Australia

It is one in a spate of incidents in recent weeks, sparking concerns for the summer months ahead, when crime is expected to spike in the outback town.

Police allege the vehicle was stolen on Wednesday at about 7.30am from an address in the Alice Springs suburb of Gillen, before coming to police attention at about 3pm.

Southern Watch Commander Rob Griffiths said the stolen car then targeted police vehicles, with rocks being thrown at one of the vehicles and smashing its window.

Police said the vehicle was later seen driving erratically in the CBD, before being stopped with spike strips.

Sergeant Griffiths said eight male occupants, aged 11 to 13, were taken into custody, before being taken home to a “responsible adult” pending further investigations.

He said police would engage “every possible agency” regarding the eight boys, while acknowledging that their behaviour put community members’ lives in danger.

“It’s deplorable, there’s no excuse,” he said.

The incident has provoked criticism that Australian law is not doing enough to impose consequences on young offenders.