Warm weather vandals

By Tania Martin
WARMER weather has been blamed for an increase in vandalism in Emerald.
Anica Bowes, an Emerald business owner, fears vandalism is increasing after her shop was broken into.
Ms Bowes says damage to local businesses and attractions around the town is caused by youths not having anything to do with their time.
Senior Constable Frank Bailey of Emerald police said there has been an increase in vandalism around the town, but puts it down to the warmer weather.
He said as the days stay light for longer and the weather warms up police have started to see youths ‘running amok’ and causing damage.
Senior Const Bailey said police have seen several instances were youths have been denied access to a party and they have come into the town and cause damage to surrounding businesses.
This follows police intercepting several people drinking underage around Emerald on the weekend.
Senior Const Bailey said the building site of the new gymnasium in Emerald was also vandalised over the weekend.
He said all the temporary fencing around the site had been pulled down onto the footpath and a cherry picker machine was driven around the site and plastic pipes were damaged.
Shane Miller of Security Response said he has also noticed an increase in vandalism over the past few months.
Mr Miller said more vandalism and break-in are recorded as the weather heats up.
“With the unseasonably warm weather vandalism around the town has started a bit earlier than normal but the police usually keep a good lid on the youths,” he said.