New figures reveal shocking extent of Wide Bay Burnett youth crime

New figures revealed by the state government have revealed the shocking extent of youth crime troubles across the Wide Bay, with hundreds of cars stolen and numerous breaches of bail.

New figures revealed by the state government have revealed the shocking extent of youth crime troubles across the Wide Bay Burnett, with 175 cars stolen by juvenile offenders and 311 bail breaches in 2024 so far.

New figures revealed by the state government have revealed the shocking extent of youth crime troubles across the Wide Bay Burnett, with 175 cars stolen by juvenile offenders and 311 bail breaches in 2024 so far.

A statement by new Police Minister Dan Purdie on Monday said the figures were released days after it passed its new youth justice laws carrying harsher punishments for young offenders.

Along with the car thefts and breaches of bail, 32 robberies were also reported to have been committed by youths across the Gympie, Bundaberg, Fraser Coast and Burnett regions, Mr Purdie’s statement said.

It revealed the Far North had the highest number of offences with 2082 reported bail breaches, 1017 car thefts and 112 robberies committed by young offenders.

Youth crime in the region was put in the spotlight in 2023 following a shocking incident at Maryborough in which a 13-year-old offender crashed a stolen car into other vehicles, killing three women.

Youth crime in the region was put in the spotlight in 2023 following a devastating accident in Maryborough in which a 13-year-old boy crashed a stolen car into other vehicles, killing three beloved women.

At the start of December 2024, the teen was handed a sentence that would see him released in late 2026 when he was 16.

The sentence sparked outrage among some in the community who labelled it as “beyond disgusting”.

Mr Purdie said in the statement the Making Queensland Safer Laws would create a strong deterrent for these youth offenders.

“Queensland police officers now have another weapon their arsenal – strong laws,” Mr Purdie said.

“Young people who have a blatant disregard for the law by committing serious offences in our communities will now have to face the consequences for their actions.”