Townsville Bulletin readers reveal how youth crime crisis is hitting home
People are living in fear, setting up complex security systems and looking over their shoulder when they’re walking through shopping centre carparks. This is the true cost of the region’s crime crisis.
Townsville
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Youth crime is taking a huge toll on North Queensland with people living in fear, panicking at the sound of a dog barking, and sleeping with weapons.
A survey of Townsville Bulletin readers gave a glimpse into the lives of more than 150 people who said they were either victims of crime, or knew people who were, with many revealing they are forking out thousands of dollars just to feel safe in their homes.
This comes as more than 320 unlawful entries were recorded in the Townsville police district in June of 2025, which is a 6 per cent decrease when compared to the Queensland Police June 2024 unlawful entry data.
There has been an increase in stolen car charges, though, with data revealing a 17 per cent increase for June.
When looking at the 2024/25 financial year, there were 1537 unlawful use charges, which is a 12.8 per cent decrease on the previous financial year (1763).
Of the people surveyed, 109 people revealed they had been a victim of crime with almost all of the 155 responders saying that they have had to bolster security at their home, outlaying thousands of dollars on measures, and some have been forced to find support for themselves in the wake of an incident.
“I can’t let my children play out in our front yard because I’ve seen plenty of stolen cars hit gutters and ride up the foot paths in our street,” one person said.
“(I’m) so worried they will kill one of our kids.”
Another said they now padlock and chain their double gates on their property.
“I’ve had to purchase a couple of security cameras, which as a pensioner I couldn’t really afford. I feel that I can’t go and do any gardening without making sure the doors are locked,” they said.
“When I go shopping, I am mindful when going to my car that there aren’t any strange kids hanging around. I’ve installed a car immobiliser too.
“I am worried when I come home alone at night, there might be some criminals watching me, as I walk to close my driveway gates. It would be nice to afford an electric gate so I don’t have to do this but at $5000 I just can’t afford it.”
One person went the extra mile and put bird spikes on their fence. This was in addition to extra locks, dogs, six-foot fences and cameras.
Others have gone to more extreme lengths with one person saying they keep a medieval sword handy, and another who sleeps with a knife.
One respondent said they kept four baseball bats around the house, and had moved the gun safe to their bedroom.
Crimsafe, deadlocks, cameras and dogs were also top on the list of measures people were taking to stay safe.
When it came to Queensland’s youth crime laws, many respondents felt like the legislation was not tough enough.
One person said youth detention was like a “holiday camp” and another described the adult crime, adult time legislation as “not tough enough”.
The Queensland government‘s adult crime, adult time legislation came into effect in December, 2024, with it spruiked as a real chance at making a difference in the youth crime crisis.
The legislation removed detention as a last resort and was said to put the rights of victims above offenders.
Despite the government’s intentions, Bulletin readers have mixed feelings on the legislation’s ability to address the issue.
“It now seems it was a catchy slogan designed to sell a change of government,” one respondent said.
Instead, they felt like appropriate penalties for all crimes were required.
“Repeat offenders’ penalties should get progressively worse,” they said.
“Some kids are not able to be saved and we should just accept incarceration is their only option. Concentrate on separating the younger impressionable kids who can still be saved.”
One respondent, who said they were a police officer, suggested the legislation was not enough and that “mandatory sentences are needed”.
“I have seen the ridiculous sentences that are given to these youth offenders,” they said.
Another described the legislation as a “good start”, but added that luxuries like “aircon, junk food, video games, television” should be removed from detention centres.
“Just basic three meals a day, a bed, communal bathrooms and work parties/chain gangs,” they said.
“Additionally, the judiciary needs to be held to account for failing to meet community expectations when it comes to dealing with juvenile offenders, especially recidivist offenders.”
But there was bipartisan criticism, with one person saying: “I’m a member of the LNP and even I think they’re too weak.”
Another added that it was a “con job” and that “long term help to their families” was the only way to address the issue.
Originally published as Townsville Bulletin readers reveal how youth crime crisis is hitting home
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