Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan APM has launched Operation Safe Place, a new police response targeting children of vulnerable age who are found out on the street after dark.

The Commissioner says police will use their powers under Section 41 of the Children and Community Services Act (2004) to move these children to a safe place.

Police will determine whether there is a risk to the child because they are away from their usual place of residence and unaccompanied by a responsible adult.

“Large numbers of children have been turning up on the railway network at night and moving into adjacent suburbs. No good can come of this disturbing trend and if the parents refuse to do anything about it, then police will,” Commissioner O’Callaghan said.

“Statistics show juveniles are responsible for more than half of all property crime in Western Australia. We’re trying to prevent these kids from committing crimes rather than punish them.”

Operation Safe Place is a component of the Summer Crime Reduction Campaign and will be trialled on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from December 1, 2011 to February 29, 2012.

“Children who cannot be quickly returned to the care of a parent or responsible adult will be conveyed to the newly created ‘Safe Place Facility’ in Cannington, south of the river,” the Commissioner said.

Police will be assisted by staff from the Department for Child Protection, Mission Australia and the Department of Corrective Services to find a safe environment for the children and identify whether further intervention is necessary from other agencies.

“Apprehending children at risk will ensure that a vulnerable section of our community will be protected and hopefully prevented from becoming involved in criminal offending or becoming victims themselves,” Mr O'Callaghan said.