Three boys under the age of 13 have been arrested for a number of break-ins on Monday night.
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Katherine Police's quick work will see two of the youth facing a judge at Katherine Juvenile Court in about a week.
In what seems to be separate incidences, Katherine Police arrested two 12-year-old boys who allegedly broke into two businesses.
It is alleged the youth ransacked Katherine businesses by damaging doors and stealing property at around 9.30pm.
Katherine business owner Trent de With confirmed his shop, Rod and Rifle Tackleworld, was broken into at around 9.30pm on Monday.
Arriving at his business to see the door smashed through and a number of items stolen, he said he is happy to see the youth arrested.
"Katherine Police are awesome," Mr de With said today.
"It is our Local Member Sandra Nelson and the justice system that is letting us down.
"Police are doing the hard yards and arresting these young kids and some do-gooder judge puts them on diversion.
"I am all for diversion if it works, but I am sick of businesses being the guinea pig for whether it works or not."
The Katherine residents said mandatory sentencing needs to be brought back.
"They need to be put to work fixing up what they have broken," Mr de With said.
"I don't believe in sending them to a detention centre where they will be treated like high level criminals, but something needs to happen."
One youth was bailed with conditions to appear before a judge at Katherine Juvenile Court for two instances of unlawful entry, stealing and damage to property.
The second youth will be undertaking youth diversion.
Also on the same night, a 13-year-old boy was arrested after allegedly breaking into a Katherine school at around 7pm.
The youth allegedly broke through the door causing significant damage and proceeded to steal property.
According to a NT Police spokeswoman, the youth was already on bail for a previous offence, but will face court with additional charges of breaking in, theft, stealing, damage to property and breach of bail.
Katherine Superintendent Daniel Shean praised the quick response of police on the ground and their efforts to arrest the offenders soon after the offences.
"While police continue to pursue and apprehend offenders such as these, it's still important for businesses to take up the Biz Secure grant to assist in protection from criminal activity if they haven't done so already," he said.
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