‘Right back where we were’: Townsville car thefts spike 12 per cent despite February floods

Not even the floods could put the brakes on Townsville’s car thieves, with vehicle thefts up 12 per cent in the month February compared to the same time last year. LATEST.

Not even the floods could put the brakes on Townsville’s car thieves, with vehicle thefts up 12 per cent in February compared to the same month last year.

Fresh crime data from the Queensland Police Service reveal unlawful use of motor vehicle offences hit 126 cases in February this year — up from 112 in February 2024.

It comes after the month of January also saw a slight rise, climbing six per cent from 97 in 2024 to 103 cases in 2025.

Crime waves have continued despite the severe weather hammering the region earlier this year, proving even the floods can’t deter the city’s notorious young offenders.

Chief Inspector Damien Crosby said during the recent flooding, police ramped up patrols in affected areas, conducting anti-looting operations to prevent crime and protect properties.

Chief Inspector Damien Crosby says Townsville police remain committed to keeping the community safe. Picture: Alix Sweeney

The latest figures follow a terrifying incident in Cosgrove, where a brazen young car thief was caught on camera urging an accomplice to run down a resident during a break-in.

The footage has reignited public concern over the impact of the state government’s youth crime crackdown, particularly the ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’ legislation introduced on December 13 last year.

Despite the latest reforms, overall offence numbers in Townsville continue to rise, with 7,555 crimes recorded in the first two months of 2025 — almost 200 more than the same period last year.

But not all crime is following the same pattern. Unlawful entry offences have dropped slightly, with 547 break-ins recorded across both January and February, down three per cent from 566 over the same period in 2024. Robberies have also fallen 20 per cent, dropping from 35 to 28.

Chief Inspector Crosby said that since the start of 2025, police have been focused on cracking down on burglaries and car thefts, targeting offenders and bringing them before the courts as part of Operation Whiskey Fastback.

So far, the operation has led to 227 arrests and 1,001 charges, with 83 adults facing 327 offences and 144 juveniles charged with 674 offences.

“Community safety is our top priority, as demonstrated by the volume of arrests associated with this operation,” he said.

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto has blasted the state government, accusing it of failing to control Townsville’s crime rates.

“We have a new government and new ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’ laws, but this has had little to zero effect on youth offenders who continue to terrorise Townsville,” he said.

“We’re right back where we were 12 months ago.”

A spokeswoman for the Premier’s office disputed the numbers, saying that when comparing December 23 to February 24, 2024 and December 24 to February 25, 2025, unlawful use of a motor vehicle incidents had dropped 5 per-cent across Townsville, from 400 incidents to 379.

Across the same period, unlawful use saw an 8 per-cent drop in Queensland.

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto says the LNP's new youth crime laws have had little impact on crime levels in Townsville.

Mr Dametto also questioned why the promised Regional Reset Program seemed to be in limbo, despite assurances it would be fast-tracked.

Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber said the tender process for the Regional Reset program was underway.

“We have always said there was no quick fix to a decade of Labor’s weak laws, however, since the Crisafulli government introduced Adult Crime, Adult Time, there has been an 8 per cent decrease in the number of stolen cars across Queensland.”

Originally published as ‘Right back where we were’: Townsville car thefts spike 12 per cent despite February floods