Queensland Police launch online stolen car database for public to help track down thieves

Queensland Police Union boss Ian Leavers warns a new public stolen vehicle database shouldn’t be taken as a green light for the community to get involved in apprehending offenders.

Queensland Police Union boss Ian Leavers has welcomed a new public stolen vehicle database – but warned it should not be taken as a green light for the community to get involved in apprehending offenders.

Police Minister Mark Ryan and Queensland Police announced on Wednesday the launch of an online public portal giving previously off-limits access to information about active stolen vehicles across the state.

It included a search function to allow the public to check whether a “suspicious” vehicle was stolen, as well as information including the make, model, colour and the suburb from where the car was taken.

Polair vision of Taskforce Guardian and police arresting three juveniles in relation to a stolen car on Pacific Motorway at Yatala on January 8.

Mr Leavers told The Courier-Mail the portal had been established with “good intentions’’.

“If we don’t try new initiatives nothing may change, and I want the community to have a share in making people feel safe and the chance to have property returned before it’s damaged,” he said.

“However it’s important anyone who identifies a stolen vehicle reports it, and leaves the apprehension of any offenders to fully-trained police.

“Stolen cars can have a devastating impact on families and people who rely on their vehicles for their work, so this information is a promising attempt to be proactive.”

Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy said the police were not “asking the community to go after stolen cars”.

“We just want the community to engage with us just like they do through Crimestoppers, through Policelink, just like they do everyday,” he said.

“The ultimate goal here is to apprehend the offenders, and recover the stolen vehicle in the safest way we can.”

Acting Assistant Commissioner for Youth Crime Andrew Massingham speaks to the media. – Picture: Richard Walker

Mr Chelepy said he saw the portal as “another tool”, and he would prefer the community engaged with police, rather than create their own social media groups to combat crime.

Questioned on whether he thought the online public portal risked encouraging an increase in vigilantism, Mr Ryan said he did not.

“Not in respect of that particular initiative, because that initiative is about working with the community to inform police intelligence to support police investigations,” Mr Ryan said.

“People need to understand that if they’re going to break the law there will be consequences

“Police came up with the strategy, police are rolling out the strategy and police think that this will make a difference when it comes to identifying those who commit offences.

“But there is a broader message here and that is everyone must comply with the law.

“People need to be aware of the laws particularly when it comes to taking matters into their own hands.”