Cops on alert for car theft spike as juvie recidivists get out of jail

A Cairns top cop has warned unsecured cars will remain a priority target for juvenile offenders as law enforcement officers enjoy respite after a downturn in vehicle theft rates this month.

A CAIRNS top cop has warned unsecured cars will remain a priority target for juvenile offenders as law enforcement officers enjoy respite following a downturn in vehicle theft rates this month.

In early May stolen car rates reached unprecedented levels when by the third day of the month an astonishing 23 cars had been ripped off.

On May 3 police data revealed a vehicle was stolen (on average) every 3.1 hours over a three-day period between Gordonvale and the northern beaches.

Network Car Rentals had six vehicles stolen in one night earlier this month after youths broke through a window of the Westcourt business and stole the keys to the hire cars. Picture: Brendan Radke

But at the penultimate day of May police data revealed 101 cars had been stolen in a significant reduction on the 121 cars stolen in April.

The 2022 monthly peak was reached in March when 162 cars were stolen in 30 days.

While encouraged by the latest figures Detective Inspector Kevin Goan said the rate of vehicle thefts was expected to increase in the coming months.

A burnt out BMW stolen from Clifton Beach. on January 9. The offenders drove the vehicle to a car park off Collins Ave before setting fire to it. The vehicle was completely destroyed as a result of the incident.

“It’s no secret that the offences are being committed by young juveniles,” he said.

“And we’ve seen most of those incarcerated during the period that we’ve seen a downturn in offending, but obviously they will be released.

“I think it could well be a short term thing at the present time.

“We’re not bracing (for a surge) but we are certainly vigilant to the likely re-emergence of that category of crime and the opportunity that we have to reiterate that we have to take those extra steps to lock away our keys.”

Far North Queensland police Detective inspector Kevin Goan. Picture: Brendan Radke

Det Insp Goan said the early intervention through programs like the Cairns co-responder strategy was key to breaking the crime cycle.

“Early intervention by us is going to prevent the crimes from occurring,” he said.

“Where we can have an early intervention, we would prefer that, rather than get young people into watch houses.”

The state has invested $43.2m into youth justice programs and a further $17.3m allocated until 2023 will target the youth crime epidemic.

Cairns youth co-responder team leader Lily Palmer said patrols focused on areas where young people congregate.

“This has been an innovative way for us to divert young people from committing criminal offences,” she said.

“It allows us to build rapport with young people in a different way and provide support by connecting them and their families with community programs, sports clubs and other services that can meet their needs.”

Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Moreton, Brisbane North, Logan, and the Gold Coast will share in a 2021–22 budget allocation of $11.9m toward the co-responder initiative.

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Originally published as Cops on alert for car theft spike as juvie recidivists get out of jail