Number of youth crime offences increase by 15 per cent over last six years

Queensland Police data reveals the regions across the state where youth crime has more than doubled in the past six months. SEE HOW YOUR REGION RATES

Juveniles committed more robberies than adults last year with the number of some youth offences more than doubling in the first six calendar years of the Palaszczuk government.

Analysis of the Queensland Police Service’s reported offender data has revealed there were 50,029 youth offences committed in 2020 – a 15 per cent increase on 2015.

But there was an overall reduction in crime across the state on the back of a 3 per cent decline in total adult offences.

Between 2015 and 2020, the number of juvenile robbery offences rose from 417 to 1180, an extraordinary increase of 183 per cent.

Over the same period the number of adult robbery offences increased only 36 per cent.

Juvenile unlawful use of a motor vehicle offences rose from 1984 to 5115 over the same period, a 158 per cent jump, compared to a 56 per cent increase in the same adult offences.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said more recent data indicated crime rates had fallen in 2021.

He said the government had invested in more police resources and data obtained since the introduction of new youth justice laws suggested they were working.

“While one crime is one too many, recent police data shows that there has been a decrease in the number of unique youth offenders and the number of unique offenders in Queensland is at its lowest level in a decade,” he said.

“Police on the ground advise that the legislative changes introduced by the government are having the intended effect.

“So long as there is even one crime we know there is always more work to be done.”

Queensland Police this week said the Brisbane region had a decrease in both unlawful entry and property offences in the past year.

Police Minister Mark Ryan says crime rates have fallen this year. Picture: Caitlan Charles

Unlawful entry offences decreased 15 per cent in the 2021 financial year compared to the year before, while property offences decreased by 18 per cent.

Car theft decreased by six per cent.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said the state government must do more to curb the high rate of youth crime.

“There are real consequences for poor decisions in Government and they are now spilling into people’s living rooms,” he said.

“Queenslanders expect their leaders to keep them safe but unfortunately there is no sign this dangerous six year slide is slowing down.

“People want to feel safe and want their suburbs back, breach of bail must be restored as an offence for young criminals.”

This week Queensland Police, frustrated by repeat offenders getting released back on the streets, revealed two new civilian prosecutors would begin in Brisbane in coming weeks to strengthen police bail objections and also appeal decisions by the courts.