QLD security companies now offer youth crime specific services

A community just east of Brisbane has signed up for private security to patrol streets at night in the wake of a youth crime explosion.

Fifteen streets in Redland City, east of Brisbane, have expressed interest in being patrolled by a private security company in the wake of a youth crime “explosion” in their area.

The streets, in the Raby Bay area, would be monitored at night by the company, which has offered them a $5-per-street deal.

All information on youth crime gleaned from the patrols would then be passed onto police, the security company director told The Courier-Mail yesterday.

Shane Logan, director of MSE Security Services, is offering to patrol the streets of Richlands which is facing a surge a youth crime. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Already, one street has committed to a two-month trial of the concept, after four luxury cars and four break-ins of the same house happened in the last six months, one resident said.

“We’ve had a massive amount of theft in the area,” the resident, who only wanted to be known as Nick, said.

“People here have nice cars and we’ve had targeted attacks.

“We’ll quite often see a suss looking kid with a bumbag going down the street quite regularly, so we’ve engaged private security in the area to increase their presence.”

In the last six months, Nick said two luxury Mercedes, an Audi and another expensive car were stolen from his street.

A house undergoing a high-priced renovation was targeted four times during this period, he said.

A stolen LandCruiser involved in a road rage incident moments before it hit and killed a couple walking their dog.

Nick said he lives just metres from the house where a 17-year-old boy allegedly stole a four-wheel-drive and later killed Kate Leadbetter and Matthew Field.

MSE Security director Shane Logan said he decided to use his own company to tackle youth crime when there was a break and enter near his house.

“I got a bit nervous leaving my family at home, so I started patrolling my own street as part of our commercial patrols,” he said.

“It’s a new twist on the old neighbourhood watch.   

“It’s a proven deterrent that’s been used in the commercial sector for 30 or 40 years, so we’re taking the concept and using it residentially.”

The company is using social media and paper flyers to spread the message about their cause.