Townsville car thefts up despite tough new laws

Townsville’s car thieves aren’t backing down, with vehicle thefts creeping up in the first full month under Queensland’s hard line Adult Crime, Adult Time laws. See what the Youth Justice Minister’s office had to say about it.

Townsville’s car thieves aren’t backing down, with vehicle thefts creeping up in the first full month under Queensland’s hard line Adult Crime, Adult Time laws.

Fresh Queensland Police Service (QPS) data reveals unlawful use of a motor vehicle offences in Townsville rose five per cent in January 2025 compared to the same month in 2024, climbing from 97 incidents to 102.

The figures come after the state government’s crackdown on repeat youth offenders, with tougher penalties kicking in from December 13 last year.

But while the laws promise to hold young criminals accountable, Townsville’s overall crime rate is still on the rise.

In January 2025, total reported offences surged by 12 per cent, jumping from 3,509 in January 2024 to 3,945 this year.

But it’s not all bad news – home break-ins and robberies are trending down.

Unlawful entry offences dropped by four per cent, falling from 300 in January 2024 to 287 in January 2025, while robbery reports plunged by 20 per cent, down from 20 to 16.

Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber’s office said “unravelling a decade of weak laws is a process” in response to Townsville’s latest crime data.

KAP deputy leader Nick Dametto warned the state government needed to get tough on youth offenders by following through on their promise to enforce real consequences for actions.

“The problem is that Cleveland Detention Centre is no longer a deterrent to youth offenders,” he said.

“KAP has long advocated for bush sentencing, and during the state election campaign, the now Minister for Youth Justice claimed that the LNP would introduce their own version of it. “As we approach the 2025–26 state budget, we are calling on the Crisafulli government to allocate funding to implement this policy.”

The warning comes after a 14-year-old girl, repeatedly caught in stolen cars, claimed in Townsville’s Children’s Court she had never even heard of Adult Crime, Adult Time before being sentenced last week.

Nick Dametto outside Townsville Court House.

“It is the youth offenders who need to be asked whether these penalties will actually deter them from pulling on their gloves and balaclavas and committing crime,” Mr Dametto said.

In response, a spokeswoman for Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber defended the Crisafulli Government’s efforts, saying that fixing a decade of weak laws takes time.

Minster Laura Gerber with the Making Queensland Safer Bill that has been introduced to Parliament. Picture: Instagram

“The Crisafulli Government has taken immediate action to turn the tide on Labor’s youth crime crisis by legislating the first tranche of Adult Crime, Adult Time laws, establishing an expert legal panel to advise on the next tranches of those laws, and started the tender process for the Regional Reset and Staying on Track programs,” she said.

“Unravelling a decade of weak laws is a process, but we are already on the path to fewer victims of crime, and we will continue delivering the reforms needed to restore safety where you live.”

When pressed on plans to overhaul the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre, the spokeswoman revealed that consultations were already underway.

“Consultations have also already begun with staff and departmental stakeholders for the Crisafulli Government’s Detention with a Purpose Plan, which will have a laser-like focus on intensive rehabilitation to ensure young offenders are provided with the support they need to turn their lives away from crime.”

Originally published as Townsville car thefts up despite tough new laws