THE CHILDREN’S Panel has been accused of failing to prevent children from re-offending.

One man, whose own grandson has appeared before the panel several times, said young offenders should be given stricter punishments to prevent them re-offending.

The man, who asked not to be named, said his grandson has been excluded from school and has been subject to a restriction of liberty order but the measures had not curbed his anti-social tendencies.

“While excluded last term he was charged with assault and robbery,” he said. “He has had Children’s Panel hearings already, and that in itself speaks volumes for their effectiveness.

“I would invite any panel member, youth support services worker, police officer or anybody else to try to explain why he should not be confined to secure accommodation.

“Who is going to take responsibility when, not if, he goes on to use a weapon and seriously injures a member of his family, simply because no one in authority has seen fit to take any effective steps to control his misbehaviour?”

A Perth father was similarly dismayed after the child who stole his son’s mobile phone was reported to the Children’s Panel which, however, decided that no further action should be taken.

“It brings up the question, when the perpetrator of the crime sees the leniency of the courts on more serious crime, why should he bother to be a decent person?” he said.