The Director of the National Directorate of Community Registration (DNRK) at the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI), Manuela Oliveira Martins, said that theft is an activity that should never happen and should not involve minors, as it is dangerous.
“We consider that minors involved in theft are a result of insufficient control from their families, especially from parents,” Director DNRK Oliveira stated.
She said that the reality is that minors are already involved, and to reduce this, parents must step up their supervision to prevent their children from being caught up in theft cases.
She noted that parents have an important role to ensure their children do not get involved in theft, and they must ask and monitor when their children leave and return home, not leaving them without supervision.
“Sometimes there are also organised groups involved in these activities, which is why we ask the police to ensure that children are not used by others to carry out what they want [theft],” she added.
In addition, she said that MSSI continues to work together with the National Institute for the Defence of Children’s Rights (INDDICA) and the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) to prevent the involvement of minors in theft.
Meanwhile, the Dili Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent Chief Orlando Gomes, said that minors identified as involved in theft cases are brought to the police command to provide statements.
“We call in the parents and advise them to educate and supervise their children, so they do not join adults in stealing other people’s belongings,” he said.
He also said the police are making efforts to conduct awareness-raising in schools, in the community, and among local authorities to control children and prevent them from becoming involved in theft.
“We use this approach for prevention. Children must be educated from now on so that they can grow into good young citizens for the future of the nation,” Dili Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent Chief Gomes explained.
He further emphasised that parents must educate and morally guide their children, highlighting the family’s important role in preventing minors from getting caught up in theft cases.
