In a shocking incident that has left many outraged, a group of young thieves broke into an elderly man's home in regional New South Wales, stealing his car keys while he slept just centimetres away.

The audacious act, captured on video by the perpetrators themselves, has sparked a heated debate about the rising tide of youth crime in the state.

The chilling video began with at least two boys entering the man's home.

As they stealthily navigated the hallway towards the bedroom, the person filming the act turned the camera on himself to brazenly flip off the viewers.

A group of young thieves broke into an elderly man’s home, stealing his car keys. Credit: Freepik

The pair then nonchalantly approached the elderly man's bedside table, snatched his car keys, and rummaged through his walker for valuables.

A second video reportedly shows the group inside a car, brandishing a crowbar.

Radio host Ben Fordham, who aired the video on his 2GB show, lambasted the thieves as 'gutless'.

‘They're not ashamed of themselves. They filmed the videos themselves, they've shared them on social media and even added in the music,’ he said.

'They film videos, then they dump the stolen cars.’

'They're breaking into homes while elderly people are asleep and while children are asleep.’

He called on NSW Premier Chris Minns to take a stronger stance against youth crime.

‘Malicious damage to property is 93 per cent higher in the bush. Motor theft is 100 per cent higher. This is compared to Sydney,' he said.

'But if it's in the bush, it's out of sight, out of mind.’

'The system has decided it's best not to lock these people up, so they run amok every night.'

Fordham said residents in the NSW town Moree are ‘installing CCTV cameras for the first time’ and ‘sleeping with baseball bats and golf clubs’ following a series of break-ins.

A resident wrote to 2GB, saying, ‘Chris Minns, come here and see what's going on. I feel like we're forgotten.’

Shadow Minister for Police Paul Toole has been vocal in his criticism of the Minns Labor Government's handling of the crime wave.

‘Unfortunately, I am not surprised that this is where we are at. Law and order requires constant focus otherwise, you end up with these home invasions, street shootings and kids walking past murder scenes on the way to school,' he said.

'[Minister for Police] Yasmin Catley is out of her depth and has been repeatedly missing in action. As a result, crime is now out of control.’

'Police are doing all they can, but they have no support behind them. The Minister is silent when it comes to providing extra resources, and the officers are left working endless amounts of overtime to the point of burnout,’ he added.

Toole believed an inquiry would expose the justice system's shortcomings in dealing with young repeat offenders.

‘Families in regional communities are terrified each night that they will wake up to someone in their home stealing their belongings or worse,' he said.

'There is nowhere to go, we are now at the point where not even your own home or hotel room is safe.’

'Yasmin Catley can no longer bury her head in the sand. It's out of control, and our police and communities deserve real action immediately.’

You can watch the video below:

Credit: Ben Fordham / Facebook​

Incidents like these have raised concerns about youth crime in the country.

In a similar story, a woman returned home from her routine dog walk when she noticed three children were following her.

After a while, she was left in shock over something the children allegedly did. You can read more about what happened here.

Key Takeaways

• A group of young thieves filmed themselves stealing car keys from an elderly man as he slept in his home in regional NSW.
• The video, which sparked outrage, showed the thieves entering the man's house, approaching his bedside table, and taking his car keys, as well as checking his walker for valuables.
• 2GB host Ben Fordham criticised the theft and called on NSW Premier Chris Minns to address the rise in youth crime in regional areas.
• Shadow Minister for Police Paul Toole urged the Minns Labor Government to support an inquiry into regional crime, highlighting the fear among families and the need for immediate action to address the issue of young repeat offenders.

Have you or someone you know been a victim of such a crime? Share your experiences in the comments below.

 

[marni]

Using physical force to discipline a child IS child abuse, and a cowardly act on a defenceless child. If a child is attacking others at kindergarten, primary, or senior school, the authorities contact the parents, and clearly inform them, that hitting, biting, kicking, hair pulling, or any other physical violence in not tolerated. Yet, that child has been physically ' disciplined in their own environment. ' Do as I say, not as I do'?' I never hit my three children. If they misbehaved, they knew what the consequences were. Loss of certain privileges. Not watching their favourite programme on television, no contact with their friends, time out.... where they sit and reflect on if it's worth missing their favourite pastimes. They weren't allowed a book to read, or anything to distract them from why they were being held to account for their behaviour. No going to the cinema, the park, swimming, and not getting the treats the rest of the family were enjoying. I taught them from an early age, and by aged three, my example, and their older brother and sister's, clearly indicated what was expected of them. To say, 'don't hit', then hit them is ludicrous. Teach by example, not by using physical force, which teaches them that violence will solve any problems they encounter. It's called ' Parenting'. Yes, it's time consuming, frustrating, and arduous. What do I have to show for my years of child rearing? Three exceptional human beings, compassionate, and non violent. My eldest, a master builder, my youngest, a respected forensic psychologist. Obviously, my hard work paid off. Did I make mistakes? Of course, I'm human and not infallible. Did they hold me to account? Yes, I didn't believe in....' it's alright for me to behave like this, you certainly mustn't. ' To prove my point, watch my son, Luke, on the YouTube, Ted programme, ' How Do We Protect Our Children ', and ' Raising The Bar '.

You have to realise these kids have no parents who care, or are doing the exact same thing As you say they lead by example. Unfortunately it’s a generational thing and we need to show them that the general population is saying enough is enough. Curb you behaviour or take the consequences, whist young, so we may see change to the next generation.

 

[Clancieblue]

then you were a very lucky one. But then again you were never with your children 24hrs a day

No. they went to school where they were expected to behave. Never had any problems.

 

[Shirley Broomhall]

Arrest them. Make them pay compensation for their acts. Make them vkean up and pay for damage....THEN send them to a remote boot camp to learn discipline and respect.

In the meantime, contact the parents and hold THEM responsible.

If the parents are unable or unwilling to control their kids, take the kids away from parents, for their own good and foster them out to other families (including their own) or consider making them a ward of the State.

If only. Many offenders live with parents who do not work, and receive Government benefits. I think what underlies the ongoing problem with juvenile offenders, is that little to no funding is provided to counteract juvenile crime. Insufficient detention centres, or camps which teach by example. If these young offenders could routinely be sent to boot camp, when they first offend, and taught how to behave in a non violent and productive way, society would obviously benefit, unfortunately, after camp, do they return to the dysfunctional environment from which they came? I would venture to suggest, that youngsters from a home environment where they are valued, taught respect for themselves and others from an early age, and given the skills to succeed when they go out into the world independently, do not become felons. Many thanks to the staff of Seniors Discount Club, for showing my son, Luke's video. For anyone interested, Luke also talks about psychopathy on the YouTube video, 'Raising The Bar'. Also well worth watching.

 

[Shirley Broomhall]

Boredom, really. We didn't have all these bells and whistles, phones etc. were we bored, if you told you parents you were bored well didn't they find you something to do quick smart.
Now we come to our children at the start they had none of the things either that they have these days, but did we make them go and do manual labour because they announced they were bored, no. We'd make suggestions or they would be off to a friends house to play.
But our grandbabies oh they are so different, they have every electronic gadget going, and suddenly they are bored with everything because the model they have is six months old and they cant cope with it being out of date. They play up to get attention, well that's fine but it doesn't work on most grandparents because we don't tolerate it. And if they do something absolutely terrible they do get a smack if only to teach them the transgression of their action. A smack on the bum or on the hand never hurt any child, besides did you ever see teachers pulling us up for playing knuckles (now they hurt)
So now the government has relinquished us of all authority over our offspring and decided that they know what is best the children are running riot and there is no punishment, welcome to the world of Peter Pan, where it doesn't matter what you do, you can never do any wrong.

If a 'smack on the bum' doesn't hurt, what's the point of doing it? Teach a child that bad behaviour won't be tolerated, by denying them something they treasure, and continue to deny it, until they learn what is acceptable, and what isn't. Unless severe physical force is used, there is no point in the punishment, and children see a gentle smack, as a joke. I grew up in an environment where we, and that includes my mother, were terrified of my father, a brutal man. No child should be raised like that. What does impact them, is everything I've already posted on earlier.

 

[SGH]

If a 'smack on the bum' doesn't hurt, what's the point of doing it? Teach a child that bad behaviour won't be tolerated, by denying them something they treasure, and continue to deny it, until they learn what is acceptable, and what isn't. Unless severe physical force is used, there is no point in the punishment, and children see a gentle smack, as a joke. I grew up in an environment where we, and that includes my mother, were terrified of my father, a brutal man. No child should be raised like that. What does impact them, is everything I've already posted on earlier.

Oh, I remember the copping a flogging from parents, the electrical cord from the toaster, the wooden spoon, plates thrown, life was absolutely awful and that was just my mother, my father preferred dishing out punishment in other ways.
A smack on the hand or on the bum was the initial shock that they had been punished in that manner, especially if they had done something to endanger either themselves or others. What I didn't want my children or grandchildren was to be afraid of me and not be able to talk to me whenever there was a problem.