Mr Thompson said crime had become more brazen in Townsville

Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson has called for harsher punishments for juvenile offenders after his family home was broken into over the weekend.

MEMBER for Herbert Phillip Thompson has called for harsher punishments for juvenile offenders after his family home was broken into over the weekend.

Mr Thompson told the Townsville Bulletin he noticed his laundry door had been pried open in the early hours of Sunday morning after getting up for a drink of water.

He said after checking his home for potential intruders, he called Policelink, with officers quick to attend his home.

Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson. Picture: Evan Morgan

While he didn’t find anyone in the house, Mr Thompson said he was happy his wife and two daughters were not home at the time of the “frightening” experience.

He said as crime had become more “brazen and violent” in Townsville, harsher punishments and deterrents were needed to curb the crime rate.

“Crime is the number one issue people face in Townsville, and people deserve better,” Mr Thompson said.

“Nobody deserves to feel fear in their own home … On my street and on other streets people are changing their locks and getting deadbolts – (and) that’s their hard-earned cash …,”

“ … the youth justice laws do not meet community expectations.”

Mr Thompson commended Townsville police for their “great” work, and said it was clear the impacts repeat offenders had on the community.

“The police do such a great job, but I see the frustration,” he said.

“They (police) pick someone up on Wednesday and then they’d pick them up the following day,

“ … What happened to me is no different to what happened to probably 10 other people last night.”

Originally published as Mr Thompson said crime had become more brazen in Townsville