Townsville youth crime: 52 juveniles arrested in nine days during police Operation Theta

More than 50 juveniles have been hit with charges in under two weeks as Townsville police crack down on summertime crime.

Teenagers in underpass tunnel. Photo Nicholas Falconer / Sunshine Coast Daily

More than 50 juveniles have been hit with charges in under two weeks as Townsville police crack down on summertime crime, with the number of arrests doubling in just days.

Operation Theta kicked off on December 19, with the aim to tackle youth crime during the summer holiday period.

As at December 30, 2022, officers arrested 52 juveniles on 146 charges.

This number had more than doubled from figures released on December 28.

From December 19 to 28, 34 juveniles were charged with 79 offences in the Townsville District.

Fifty five adults were also charged with 112 offences in that same time period, with the number growing to 69 adults on 148 offences by December 30.

Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Lawson said of the juveniles, 26 had been charged with 97 offences including unlawful use of a motor vehicle and enter with intent charges.

Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Lawson. Picture: Leighton Smith

Fifteen juveniles were also charged with 29 offences including shop stealing (under $150 and first time offence) or trespassing by breaching a banning order.

The adults had been charged with multiple drug offences and other indictable offences which include unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and enter with intent.

“In the nine days since the commencement of the operation, Townsville officers have conducted 812 proactive activities including a high-visibility police presence in hotspot youth crime locations, shopping centre and business walk-throughs, engagement activities with young people, and an expansion of the Youth Crime Co-responded and bail check programs,” Acting Chief Superintendent Lawson said.

Last week, the state government announced sweeping youth justice reforms in an effort to tackle juvenile crime.

The reforms come after the December 26 murder of 41-year-old Emma Lovell, who was allegedly killed while defending her North Lakes home from teenage intruders.

Among the reforms include longer jail terms for teens convicted of stealing a car, and a $9.89m ‘fast-track’ sentencing program in courts in multiple locations including Townsville.

The reforms are set to be written into legislation when parliament returns in February.

Originally published as Townsville youth crime: 52 juveniles arrested in nine days during police Operation Theta