Station damaged in ‘cry for attention’

Three glass panels at the front entrance of the Karratha police station were damaged early last week after a teenage boy allegedly smashed them with a rock in an effort to get after-hours police attention.

Karratha police officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Andy Stevens said at 10pm on Monday, November 14, a juvenile male had allegedly arrived at the station in an emotional state and seeking police attendance.

He allegedly grabbed a rock and used it to smash three of the glass panels at the front of the station to get officers’ attention.

Officers came outside and restrained the boy, and he has since been referred to community agencies for assistance.

Sen. Sgt Stevens said it was “very rare” for police stations, including the Karratha building, to be damaged or vandalised.

However, he said there were occasional incidents.

“It does happen every now and then,” he said. “And it is because people often come here in a state of crisis and lash out.”

The cost of repairing the panels has not been determined, but Sen. Sgt Stevens said he expected it would be expensive, as they were made of cyclone-rated glass that must be manufactured in and sent up from Perth.