It comes as community concern mounts over efforts to halt juvenile delinquency, with former senior police officer Kevin Wales urging a revival of police-led youth conferencing. It was sparked by a series of car thefts and fires in the city.

In a sign that rehabilitation has value, Anglicare revealed its “youth at risk” program has had a success rate of 86 per cent in getting Aboriginal youths back on the right track. Of its 296 clients since 2010, Anglicare said, there have been only 40 reported cases of reoffending.

Anglicare’s community services manager, Kristy Daley, said the program’s success lied in developing life goals for at-risk youths. 

“It’s about helping young people build resilience, cultural identity and self worth,” she said.