Four South West boys charged with causing $7000 in damage at Busselton Foreshore

Busselton police have charged four young boys who allegedly caused $7000 of damage to the Busselton Foreshore and Youth Centre Precinct last month. Police allege on October 21, the boys — aged between 12 and 14 — destroyed and smashed 71 sprinklers and in-ground lights across the precinct. The juveniles’ alleged acts were all caught on CCTV cameras, allowing police to identify the culprits and charge them earlier this month. Busselton police Constable Ellie Merrett said it was “disappointing” to see such young members of the public destroy a valuable community space. “The Busselton foreshore has been developed for locals and visitors to enjoy,” she said. “It’s disappointing, not only the age of the children, but the lack of respect these boys have for their own town and I really hope they can learn from this experience.” The boys are set to appear in children’s court later this month. Busselton’s foreshore vicinity has been a major project of the City of Busselton for the past decade, with the youth precinct and skatepark opened in 2016. Most recently, the foreshore’s eastern sector was reopened to the public in March of this year, with the currently under works Hilton Garden View Hotel scheduled for completion in 2023. Bunbury’s newly opened youth precinct was also vandalised earlier this year.