Unlawful entry offences rise 28% across Wide Bay region

Break-ins in Wide Bay are on the rise and causing a “major problem” across the region with residents fearing for their safety late at night.

Shadow Minister for Police Dale Last speaks at a press conference outside Aquavue Restaurant on November 17, 2023.

New statistics reveal a drastic increase in the number of unlawful entry offences across Wide Bay over the past 12 months.

The police data shows a 28 per cent increase in the offences compared to last year.

Shadow minister for police Dale Last was in Hervey Bay on Friday where he described a “major problem” with residents fearing for their safety and going outside at night-time.

Mr Last said the LNP’s solution to this issue would centre around “rewriting the Youth Justice Act, creating consequences for actions, removing detention as a last resort and early intervention”.

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Fraser Coast Regional Council division 9 councillor David Lee echoed Mr Last’s concerns.

“The rise in unlawful entry offences along with having only one extra police officer on the streets of Wide Bay is completely unacceptable,” he said.

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Mr Lee is not seeking re-election in March 2024, instead running as the Liberals candidate for Hervey Bay.

Jaiden Christie speaks to the media outside Aquavue Restaurant on November 17, 2023.

A press conference was held at Aquavue Restaurant where the owner Jaiden Christie said residents were “sick of break-ins”.

“We have had enough, and we need something done about it,” Mr Christie said.

Mr Christie said Aquavue had been broken into multiple times during the past 12 months.

“People should be able to walk down our beautiful Esplanade and not have to fear their safety,” Mr Christie said.

Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan said Queensland had the toughest youth justice laws in Australia.

“... including for the first time in Queensland history, breach of bail as an offence for young offenders under the bail act,” he said.

“It’s why the government has provided funding for Extreme High-Visibility Police Patrols in the Hervey Bay region and across the state.”

He said the government had made the biggest investment in policing in more than three decades to deliver a minimum of 150 extra officers.