Juvenile delinquency: monitor your child’s behaviour – EMPD

Parents encouraged to monitor their children's behavioural changes.

April 7, 2022

Fanie Mthupha 1 minute read

Information and photos supplied by EMPD media liaison officer Insp Kobeli Mokheseng.

To help nip child behaviour problems in the bud, the EMPD is encouraging parents to watch out for their children’s behavioural changes and warning signs that suggest delinquent actions.

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Parents are advised to take the necessary measures should they identify antisocial behaviour or warning signs that their children might be involved in illegal activities.

These include bullying or any other forms of violence and illicit substance-related crimes, as well as substance abuse and other forms of bad behaviour.

According to EMPD media liaison officer Insp Kobeli Mokheseng, once in a while, the EMPD and other law-enforcement agencies, such as the SAPS, get complaints from members of the community, teachers and parents or guardians about the unbecoming behaviour of some of the learners in different institutions around the City of Ekurhuleni.

“As soon as such complaints come to our attention, the EMPD K9, nearby precinct officers, the Social Crime Prevention units and the SAPS join forces and pounce on targeted schools and carry out a search operation.

Police recently carried out a raid on two schools in Boksburg where they recovered weapons and illegal substances.

“Whatever illicit items uncovered during the school search operation are confiscated.

“Minors involved are identified and the parents or guardians could be summoned to the school.

“If adult offenders are caught, they face the full might of the law,” explained Mokheseng.

“We are appealing to parents or guardians, members of the community and school teachers to always be wary of suspicious activities and behavioural change patterns in children or teenagers.

“If you suspect they could be involved in crime, this must be reported.”