PRIVATE EYES HIRED TO SPY ON KIDS

Do you know where your children are right now? Who are their friends?
Do they take drugs?

At least one parent will turn to a private investigator this week to
find answers to these questions, at a cost of about $50 an hour.

Private investigator Mick Buckley said the number of parents utilising
surveillance services this year had doubled from last year's figure of
two cases a month.

Growing fears of substance abuse among young people was the biggest
reason behind the increase in surveillance.

Information about the child's friends, boyfriends and girlfriends,
particularly those who socialise in the city and Fremantle, was the
second biggest reason for investigation.

And the gambling habits of older teenagers and young adults was the
third biggest concern.

Mr Buckley, from M.R. Buckley and Associates in Fremantle, said
surveillance use in WA still lagged behind the eastern states where
private investigation was more widespread.

But like other states, a breakdown in trust and communication within
the family and increasing scarcity of police resources was behind the
move to private investigation.

"If a parent calls me they usually have good reason to be suspicious
and their instincts are usually right," Mr Buckley said.

"Usually we'll refer them to a family communication centre to see if
they can sought out the problems between themselves.

"But if they can't, with police resources being as stretched as they
are, we are able to dedicate the time needed to find out what is happening."

Enquiries about male and female children were equal and most children
were aged under 18 and came from middle income families.

Investigation took anywhere from two hours to several months, and
usually cost between $500 and $1500.

Evidence of drug trafficking was reported to police, while other
crimes and information was reported back to the parents.

Mr Buckley said his work often involved an invasion of the children's
privacy but said it was justified by the end result.

"In a way its an invasion - investigators are aware of that AD but
some of these kids could end up in jail or hurting other people."

"If we get to them early it might be prevented," he
said.

Checked-by: Rich O'Grady