‘Ankle bracelets, deportation’: Police union boss’ radical youth crime overhaul

Every juvenile granted bail should be given ankle bracelets and should also face deportation if convicted of serious crimes, Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers says.

Every juvenile granted bail in the courts should be given ankle bracelets and they should also face deportation if convicted of serious crimes, Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers says.

Mr Leavers has also called for an expansion for police wanding operations to allow officers to use metal detectors on people in all public places, for the media to be allowed into children’s courts matters.

It follows revelations that a 16-year-old charged with murdering Ipswich grandmother Vyleen White was on bail at the time after being charged with three armed robbery offences last year.

“In Queensland we don’t have a bail law problem, we have a [court] problem,” Mr Leavers said on Wednesday.

“We have all seen over the last couple of years current and retired judges criticise police.

Police Union President Ian Leavers. Picture: John Gass

Mr Leavers supported comments made by Mr Miles this week that he would seek advice on “changing magistrate behaviour” to allow journalists into youth courtrooms to inform the public.

In 2013 when Mr Newman was premier, he called for members of the judiciary opposed to proposed sex offender legislation to “come down from their ivory towers” and listen to the people of Queensland.

Mr Leavers said he had spoken to the Premier today about youth justice issues including the expansion of wanding to areas outside of public transport hubs and safe night precincts. He said he would meet with the premier who was “reasonably receptive” in relation to the discussion about wanding.

Town Square Redbank Plains Shopping Centre stabbing victim Vyleen White. Pic: Supplied.

“If bail is granted ankle monitors on all youths should be used,” Mr Leavers said.

“My understanding is only five youths have ankle monitors in Queensland.”

The police union president said the media should be able to report on matters in the children’s courts without using offenders names.

“And I will say this for any offender, whether a youth or an adult when you’re convicted of a very serious crime if you’re not an Australian citizen, you should be deported to where you come from,” Mr Leavers said.

Flowers in tribute to Vyleen White, 70, of Redbank Plains, who was allegedly stabbed in the car park at Town Square Redbank Plains Shopping Centre. Picture: Glenn Campbell/NCA NewsWire

“This is very harsh, but I say this when you come to Australia it’s for the way of life we have in Australia. If you cannot live by our standards and you commit very serious crimes, as a youth or an adult, once you’ve done your time, you should be on the first plane out of this country.

“You’re forfeited your right to be an Australian citizen. I think this needs to happen.”

Mr Leavers said the courts were “not doing their job” and were considering the rights of offenders over victims

“Absolutely unacceptable. If this was a police officer, they would be quarantined, forced to partake in a coercive interview.”

The car park where Vyleen White, 70, was allegedly stabbed. Pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail