Youths begging for booze

By Dion Teasdale
POLICE, community groups and retailers say the increase in begging along Millgrove’s shopping strip is unacceptable.
Young people and children, some as young as 10, have been spotted asking shoppers for money before being moved by police officers.
Millgrove News Agency proprietor and Millgrove Residents Action Group (MRAG) president Maureen Halit said the begging has been a problem outside the Millgrove retail strip for the past 18 months.
“There has been an increase in the number of children and young people hanging around the shops and asking customers for money,” she said.
“The children seem to be collecting the money to buy lollies while the older ones are using the money to buy alcohol and cigarettes.”
Ms Halit, who believes the incidents of begging are worse during school holiday periods, said the problem was more than just a legal issue.
“I don’t like the begging at all. It is illegal and it is a bad look for the area, but it is about more than being an embarrassment for Millgrove,” she said.
“I think it is a reflection of our community, a sign that there are issues that need to be addressed. Perhaps it is telling us that we need to be doing more to engage with these young people.”
Sergeant Paul Bell, of Warburton police, said officers were aware of the problem and had been called to the Millgrove retail strip to intercept beggars.
“The message we want to send out is that begging is illegal and if we get reports we’ll follow it up. People can be charged for doing it,” he said.
Sgt Bell said people who are approached for money are encouraged to call police on 000, but also said the best way for the community to address the problem was not through the legal system.
“Engaging kids and young people in structured programs after school, on weekends and during school holidays is a better way to deal with this,” he said.
River Valley Church pastor Andy Bennett said there was a range of after-hours programs and activities for children and young people in the Upper Yarra.
“There are after school programs such as Lifeforce, run at Millwarra Primary School, and a number of school holiday programs run by local church groups throughout the year,” he said.
Mr Bennett said the after-hours programs and activities for children and young people in the area were some of Upper Yarra’s best-kept secrets and he encouraged families to find out more about them.
Shire of Yarra Ranges Mayor Monika Keane said the shire was committed to improving services and opportunities for young people in the Upper Yarra.
“I was once myself a young person in this area, so I am very aware of the problems young people face,” she said.
“The Upper Yarra is a beautiful place to grow up, but it can also be very isolating for young people and we have to work hard to connect them to services.”
Cr Keane said the shire’s Youth Service’s team was in the process of setting a committee for young people in the Upper Yarra.
“I encourage all young people in the Upper Yarra to get involved. We need young people to come forward and tell us what sorts of events and activities they want to see,” she said.