The car theft crisis worsens as 48 cars stolen in one month
Car theft is emerging as the Far North’s defining problem as reported incidents across the region reach record breaking numbers.
Cairns
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A SIX-YEAR stolen car record in the Far North is set to be blown out of the water with the alarming trend of vehicle thefts set to surpass the previous mark.
The record which stands at 782 car thefts for 2021 could be dwarfed in 2022 with the number of stolen vehicles already standing at 732 with five months remaining until year’s end.
Yorkeys Knob resident Tabitha Darmanin is one of many victims who have had their cars stolen in 2022 after a group of teenagers broke into her home last month and stole her bag with her keys and proceeded to take her car, while she was still asleep.
Ms Darmanin said the ordeal has impacted her entire life and she says more needs to be done to stop this from continually happening.
“You don't feel safe in your own home, you feel completely violated. The other night I went to go out and couldn't get into a nightclub because I didn’t have my licence as it was in my car meaning my social life has also been impacted,” she said.
“It needs to come to a stop, these kids are out of control … the police are doing the best they can but the law needs to change.”
The alarming new figures come just days after State Opposition leader David Crisafulli claimed the Palaszczuk Government was losing the war on crime.
Mr Crisafulli urged the State Government to do more and stop pretending everything is OK in a Facebook post.
“Cairns is a world class city that has been hijacked,” he said.
“We’ve repeatedly called for breach of bail to be legislated as an offence.
“The State Government needs to stop pretending everything is okay when communities are being torn apart because of their failure to act.”
There have been 48 vehicles reported stolen to date in July across the Far North region.
Queensland Police are urging all Far Noth residents to ensure their car is secure, remove all valuables from their car and secure keys in a safe place out of plain sight and report any suspicious behaviour.
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Originally published as The car theft crisis worsens as 48 cars stolen in one month
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