Cairns youth crime spree: Police charge 13 teens

The Far North tactical crime squad was kept busy arresting and charging 13 teenagers with a multitude of offences – and police chiefs say there will be no let-up.

FAR North police will ramp up their presence in coming weeks with 42 tactical crime squad officers on the job to help tackle youth crime.

Chief Superintendent Chris Hodgman said there had been increased reporting of burglary and unlawful use offences in recent weeks.

“That is unfortunate, one crime for me is too many,” he said.

Chief Superintendent Chris Hodgman says there will be an increased police presence in coming weeks to stay on top of juvenile crime.

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“We have police out every night checking kids on bail through partnerships with our government partners, we are making sure these kids are staying at home, that 10 per cent cohort that we know are committing most of the offences.

“We will have an enhanced presence over the next few weeks to make sure we lock these youth offenders up, the ones that are causing harm.

“Working with the youth co-responder team 24/7, we are checking they are abiding by bail conditions, but also supporting them to get home and readjust with their life.”

Asked about using the Rescue 510 helicopter to track stolen vehicles across the region, Chief Supt Hodgman said safety was paramount.

“The last thing I want to see is police officers being involved in a pursuit and someone, whether it be a member of the public or a police officer, being injured – that can’t happen,” he said.

“What we are seeing are some really, really good results surveilling and stopping these vehicles without anybody getting hurt.”

“The service they give us is fantastic.”

far North police Detective Acting Inspector Kevin Goan outlined how police took on youth crime. Picture: Bronwyn Farr

Police quashed a youth crime spree over the Anzac long weekend with a 17-year-old boy charged with 19 offences and a further 12 youths aged between 12 years and 19 years arrested.

A 12-year-old White Rock boy was seen by neighbours trying to gain entry into a property in Kendall St at Mount Sheridan, after attempting to break into a home at White Rock, and was apprehended by tactical crime squad officers after a short foot chase, Detective Acting Inspector Kevin Goan said.

“We’ve had a busy weekend in Cairns overall, arresting some 13 property crime offenders,” he said.

The boy was charged with three counts of attempted burglary and one count of trespass.

A 17-year-old White Rock boy was arrested following an ongoing investigation into the burglary of several homes across Cairns, and the unlawful use of multiple vehicles.

The boy was later charged with 19 offences including five counts of attempting to enter a dwelling, five counts of burglary, three counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, three counts of entering a dwelling with intent, trespass, entering a premise with intent, and entering a premises and commit an indictable offence.

Police also located three stolen vehicles.

Originally published as Cairns youth crime spree: Police charge 13 teens