Why Hervey Bay’s 81% crime spike is turning town into ‘next Townsville’
Youth crime has reached staggering heights in Hervey Bay where ‘broken’ business owners have had enough and terrifying footage shows what they are up against.
Fraser Coast
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Car thefts are up a staggering 81 per cent and small business owners in Hervey Bay are “heartbroken” after repeated break-ins as youth crime in the seaside city soars.
It comes after shocking video of two recent shop break-ins was released, business owners revealed they were considering installing roller shutters to shield their stores and fiery debate about the impact of escalating youth crime in Hervey Bay reached the floors of Queensland parliament.
As recently as last week, teenagers smashed their way into Daisy’s Phone Repairs at Central Plaza leaving a trail of destruction as they ransacked the business.
Member for Burdekin and Shadow Minister for Police Dale Last told parliament on Wednesday the “juvenile crime epidemic” gripping the state and in particular, the Gold Coast, Rockhampton and Townsville, had reached toxic levels in the whale watching and retirement mecca.
“The picturesque and idyllic town of Hervey Bay has joined that list and become crime central,” he told parliament, referencing staggering statistics which showed to the end of July 2022, Hervey Bay had recorded a 20 per cent increase in “unlawful entry” charges and a spike of 81 per cent in “unlawful use of a motor vehicle” charges.
On Hervey Bay’s Main Street, owner of Bay Time & Engraving Justin Van Wijk said his store has been broken into twice since it opened in 2021.
He has owned jewellery stores all his life, including in Charters Towers for more than 20 years, but has never been broken into until arriving in Hervey Bay.
Glass cabinets once full of jewellery, watches and clocks are now empty with wooden boards covering the counter tops after the most recent break-in on Tuesday, August 9.
“The place had just been absolutely destroyed,” Mr Van Wijk said.
While only a small amount of stock was taken, the damage, which the owner described as “just destruction”, has taken a huge toll.
“I’m sure stealing was their motive, but they just came in here and destroyed everything,” he said.
Watch bands were even thrown across a neighbouring business' dining area outside on the footpath.
Due to technical issues with his internet modem, alarm and camera systems were not working at the time to capture the young offenders on CCTV.
“Tens of thousands of dollars' worth of damage probably for a couple of thousand dollars' worth of stuff stolen,” he said.
A small amount of silver jewellery, watches, paperwork, engraving samples and watch bands were taken.
Engraving tools were also used to break into his safe which he had owned since he worked as an apprentice.
“I’d just like to see these kids acknowledge the damage that they’re doing and the hurt that they’re causing people,” he said.
As for a suitable punishment for the young offenders, Mr Van Wijk said he just wanted them to be held “responsible” for their actions.
On Tuesday, August 9, single-mother and small business owner Daisy Owen posted disturbing footage on social media of teenagers breaking into her phone repairs store.
In the video, teens can be seen viciously smashing the front glass door, before breaking into the back office.
The Daisy’s Phone Repairs owner said when she saw the damage the next morning she was “heartbroken”.
“I didn’t know what to do, I was shaking,” she said.
It is her third break-in since she opened the store at Central Plaza six years ago.
Apple watches, iPhones and Samsung phones were stolen, and Ms Owen’s $1500 computer was also smashed.
She estimated the total damage bill was $10,000, including the glass to replace the door which cost $700 alone.
She urged the juvenile offenders to “respect other people’s properties and businesses”.
“I’m a single mother running a store and just trying to work hard to put a plate for my son and to look after him,” she said.
Four teenagers have been charged over the break-in and are being dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.
Hervey Bay Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Holebrook said the Bay was experiencing a “repeat cycle” of attacks, with some businesses being broken into up to six or seven times.
“It just gets to the stage where it’s soul-destroying and businesses choose to sort of basically say ‘I’ve had enough’ and wind up,” she said.
Going forward, she said it was “not about putting our young people in prison” but rather finding a way that the offenders can feel remorse and make good for their actions in the community.
When speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Mr Last moved a motion that the House recognise the devastating impacts of youth crime on Hervey Bay, including the toll on business owners and staff under siege from the crime wave.
Mr Last questioned the contribution of the Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari in addressing the “crime epidemic” which was “gripping his community”.
He highlighted the recent break-in at Daisy’s Phone Repairs, and his visit to Hervey Bay in May 2022.
In parliament, Mr Last also raised concerns about the policing numbers to face the increasing crime and population growth in Hervey Bay.
Minister for Police Mark Ryan responded by claiming the government would always do whatever it could to “support victims” and “condemn the perpetrators of crime”.
He challenged Mr Last on his party’s commitment to creating a “crime plan”, noting the Palaszczuk Government’s recent $14m investment for a new Hervey Bay Police Station as part of the 2022 State Budget.
Mr Tantari told parliament the government had provided “new and enhanced services” to keep the “people of Hervey Bay safe” which included increasing police numbers, hospital services and paramedics.
He also highlighted a meeting he held in early 2022 with Fraser Coast councillors and the Minister for Youth Justice Leanne Linard about the “very serious matter” of crime in the community.
Mr Last’s motion was “significantly amended” but did pass.
The amended motion was for the House to note the importance of community safety and the impact it has on victims of crime, including the record investment by the government in community safety measures.
No action points or solutions were proposed by either side.
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