Crime stats for Logan spark call for tougher penalties for youth crims
A youth crime wave hitting suburbs south of Brisbane has prompted calls for breaches of bail to be made a criminal offence for juveniles, as four suburbs in the area are named as crime hotspots.
Logan
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A YOUTH crime wave hitting suburbs south of Brisbane has prompted calls for breaches of bail to be made a criminal offence for juveniles.
LNP candidate for Springwood Kirrily Boulton made the call after four Logan suburbs, including Springwood, were named as crime hot spots in a list by insurance giant RACQ.
Ms Boulton, who will challenge sitting MP Mick de Brenni for the once-bellwether seat, said lax laws were letting residents and police down.
Ms Boulton said she was concerned by the home and building theft figures released by the RACQ this week.
Top of the list was Carindale where RACQ registered 52 claims over the past three years, followed closely by Springwood and Kuraby both with 51 claims.
Rochedale South, Shailer Park and Daisy Hill rounded out the list.
Police data for Springwood District showed property offences had remained static with 211 offences recorded in April 2020 compared with 220 offences in April last year.
During the coronavirus, offences such as thefts had dropped but unlawful entry had risen.
“Our police do an incredible job but they are being let down … by the poor laws which are not strict enough on juveniles,” she said.
“I believe there needs to be real consequences for those committing crimes including breaching bail conditions — regardless of age.
“The LNP will stop this crime wave in its tracks by making breach of bail a criminal offence for juveniles.”
Ms Boulton said a greater police presence was needed in the four suburbs to stop the rise in crime and to make families feel safer.
She said since 2014 in Logan, armed robberies had risen by 48 per cent, unlawful use of motor vehicles by 60 per cent, shop stealing by 38 per cent and assaults were up by 36 per cent.
Springwood MP Mick de Brenni referred questions to Police Minister Mark Ryan.
Mr Ryan would not comment on specific Springwood statistics but said strike teams had been set up across Logan targeting repeat and high-risk young offenders.
“Our highly successful Project Booyah runs out of Logan and is turning young lives around with early intervention,” he said.
“The program facilitates improved relations between police and at-risk young people and is an important step in helping to eliminate anti-social behaviour.
“Operation Romeo Whippen is targeting property crime around Logan, and special operations target high-risk young offenders.
“The LNP axed funding to the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council – the Palaszczuk Government reinstated it, a move welcomed wholeheartedly by the RACQ.”
RACQ’S LIST OF TOP 10 SUBURBS FOR BREAK-INS (April 2017 – March 2020)
1. Carindale – 52 claims
2. Springwood – 51 claims
3. Kuraby – 51 claims
4. Forest Lake – 48 claims
5. Eight Mile Plains – 45 claims
6. Sunnybank Hills – 44 claims
7. Runcorn – 39 claims
8. Rochedale South – 39 claims
9. Shailer Park – 36 claims
10. Daisy Hill – 32 claims.