Perth / Western Australia

I don't think it's necessarily so pointless.

I do agree that it's ethically dubious and in a perfect world you'd have enough police to monitor areas where this is likely to happen, but that's not really the reality.

I don't really agree that no crime would've been committed if the police hadn't left a scooter there. Perhaps that's true, but it's more likely to me that delinquents are looking for opportunities all day.

I also don't agree that we should avoid charging kids with this type of crime. If the court is producing bad outcomes then that is what should be addressed.

On balance, I think it's the last, worst option. However, if police don't have the resources to manage this problem then it would allow you to grab a few kids who are hanging out at the same shop every day stealing everyone's stuff.