Relief from youth crime offered to Townsville within days

Police Minister Dan Purdie has released the crime figures for Townsville and Mount Isa over the last year, as he promises a change will come into effect within days.

Police Minister Dan Purdie releases youth crime statistics from the past year, days before new and tougher laws come into effect. Picture: Evan Morgan

Police Minister Dan Purdie has released the number of stolen cars and robberies that youth have been involved in within Townsville over the past year, as the government promises relief from crime will begin within days.

The Townsville born former police detective said there had been 642 stolen cars and 130 robberies caused by youth criminals between January and November this year, and to compound on this, there had been almost 2000 breaches of bail.

This was about a tenth of the total number of stolen cars taken by youth across Queensland.

But Mr Purdie said the Making Queensland Safer Laws  that were passed in the Queensland Parliament last Thursday, and which came into effect the following day, would reduce these statistics as he offered “strong laws” that Queensland police officers could lean on.

“Young people who have a blatant disregard for the law by committing serious offences in our communities will now have to face the consequences for their actions,” Mr Purdie said.

“We have made it very clear to Queenslanders the government will drive down victim numbers and put a stop to the spiralling youth crime crisis.”

Premier David Crisafulli met with victims of crime and held a news conference in Townsville last Friday. Picture: Office of the Premier

The youth crime statistics for Mount Isa in the same period were 242 stolen cars, 130 robberies, and 413 breaches of bail.

Queensland’s total was 6727 stolen cars, 1398 robberies, and 13,129 breaches of bail.

The laws passed in the Queensland Parliament last Thursday, which have been branded ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’, would allow for young criminals across 13 categories of crime to be charged with adult length sentences.

Repeat offenders committing serious car-related crimes could also be sent to jail, and detention would not be considered a last resort option.

A child’s criminal history could also be examined in the adult court.

Courts would also be increasingly open to the media and the court could allow for a youth criminal to be named if they fall within the 13 categories of crime.

The day after the laws were passed, Premier David Crisafulli visited Townsville to speak with crime victims, as he promised the government would increase court and corrective system resources.

“We’re going to strengthen the department of prosecutions,” he said.

“We’re working overtime to deliver more corrective services.”

*A previous version of the article stated the laws would come into effect on December 20, but a spokesperson for the Police Minister clarified these came into effect on Friday, December 13. 

Originally published as Relief from youth crime offered to Townsville within days