Shadow Police Minister calls for crackdown on youth crime in the north

North Queensland’s car crime wave has claimed the life of another teen. Now, the Shadow Police Minister is calling for the state government to listen to communities being affected. READ WHAT HE HAD TO SAY

THE DEATH of another North Queensland teen linked to stolen vehicles has the LNP’s police spokesman calling for the state government to start listening to communities and begin addressing the issue of youth crime.

The body of 18-year-old Townsville man Robert Malayta was found on Friday morning in the Ross River after he jumped in the water on Thursday night while fleeing police.

Mr Malayta’s death comes less than two weeks after the death of Cairns boy Bradley Smith who was killed in a car accident allegedly involving an allegedly stolen vehicle.

Shadow Police Minister Dale Last said “right now, we are leaving it far too late to intervene.”

“Regardless of the circumstances, the death of a young person has a profound and long-lasting effect on the community, especially that person’s family and close friends,” he said.

“The government needs to start listening to the community because clearly they are not meeting community expectations when it comes to addressing the issue.

Queensland opposition spokesman for Police and Corrective Services Dale Last says the government needs to start listening to the community regarding youth crime. Picture: Brendan Radke

“You would hope that incidents like these would see a sudden and large decrease in illegal activity but unfortunately, that’s not the case.”

Mr Last discussed the need for stronger consequences for repeat juvenile offenders as he called for an “overhaul of the Youth Justice system.”

“Our police are being let down by the state government when it comes to resources and by the Youth Justice system when it comes to stopping the revolving door for offenders,” he said.

“Youth crime in recent years has spiralled to the extent that it is now out of control … These young offenders are becoming more and more brazen without question.

“Our communities are having their heart and souls ripped out by those who are thumbing their noses at the law and running amok.”

Originally published as Shadow Police Minister calls for crackdown on youth crime in the north