A man has been taken into custody after two Aboriginal children were found bound with cable ties outside a Broome home on Tuesday.
The incident, in the State’s Kimberley region, was live-streamed to social media at about 2.15pm and footage showed the children crying in the background before the man was arrested by police.
A video of the incident was widely shared after being reposted on Instagram. Members of the community could be heard condemning the man.
Police have since described the incident as “confronting” and confirmed officers attended the address in relation to a “trespass incident”.
“Police are investigating a confronting incident that unfolded in Broome today involving a six-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy,” a spokesman told The West Australian.
A photo circulating on social media showed three crying children, rather than the two confirmed by police, sitting on the driveway in Broome.
“Officers were initially called to a home on Conkerberry Road, Cable Beach, about 2.15pm for a reported trespass incident,” police said.
“Officers responded quickly, and when they arrived, they found two children had been physically restrained. Officers called St John Ambulance officers to assess the children, who have since been reunited with family members.
“A man has been taken into custody and is assisting with inquiries.
“Police are working closely with the affected families and encourage community members to allow officers to thoroughly investigate the matter so that the full circumstances can be established.”
A spokesman said police presence in the region remains normal amid fears of community uproar.
It is reported the man was working at the property for a local air-conditioning company before he discovered the children swimming in a pool at the home.
The local business has since been hit with a barrage of abuse online and a series of one-star Google reviews in protest against the worker’s alleged actions.
Witness Leandra McKenzie said the children were distressed after they were found by police bound with cable ties.
“They were frightened. They were crying, shaking and singing out for their mum,” Ms McKenzie told media.
“It would have been over an hour it was . . . we were yelling at him to tell them to release them . . . but he just wouldn’t give up.”
Member for Kimberley Divina D’Anna said she was “confronted” by the footage while also calling for calm.
“I was appalled at the footage I saw today,” Ms D’Anna told The West Australian.
“As the matter is subject to a police inquiry it would be inappropriate to make further comment.
“At this time, it’s important the community remains calm and allows the police to conduct the investigation.”
Tensions in Broome have been close to boiling point over the past few months with rising crime, escalating violence and concerns about alcohol consumption.
In December, The West spoke with the Broome community as part of the Horror in Paradise series — with many detailing how they were living in fear.
Police said at the time they were continuing to work with the community in “both a preventive and enforcement capacity” amid fears alcohol was contributing to community tension.
“Police are highly visible in the community and work closely with Department of Education, Department of Communities, Shire of Broome, PCYC, Broome Youth and Families Hub and other community groups to divert youth away from crime,” Broome Police Station Sen. Sgt Courtney Solly said.
A new community-led program — Immediate Response Night Space — was announced earlier this year to provide a safe place for children left to wander streets at night.