State Government crackdown: GPS deadline looms for ‘hardcore’ youth offenders
Hardcore youth offenders have just a matter of hours left before they have GPS trackers fitted as a condition of bail, as part of a government crackdown on statewide crime.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Hardcore youth offenders will be fitted with GPS trackers from Monday as part of a government crackdown on statewide crime.
GPS trackers will be fitted to certain offenders as a condition of bail following last month’s passing of the State Government’s Youth Justice reforms.
Police Minister Mark Ryan said the government’s suite of new reforms would target hardcore recidivist offenders.
“This trial of GPS monitoring devices gives police and the courts another tool to target the small minority that commit the majority of offences,” he said.
“Courts will be able to order 16 to 17-year-olds to wear GPS devices if they are given bail, providing an extra layer of security and increased safety for the community.
“The devices will be monitored around the clock by Queensland Corrective Services who have extensive experience with this technology.”
The introduction of GPS devices is part of a $98.4m package to support the crackdown on youth crime.
The package also includes a presumption against bail for serious repeat offenders who commit a crime while on bail and the ability for a court to seek assurances from parents or guardians before an offender is released.
Minister Ryan said the data showed that ten per cent of all youth offenders account for 48 per cent of all youth crime.
“It is this group we are targeting with all the legislative and frontline strategies at our disposal,” he said.
However, former child protection detective now Opposition MP Dan Purdie slammed the reforms as “window dressing”.
He said the timing of any advice to police on possible bail breaches detected by the GPS trackers would be critical and unless police were receiving real-time data the tracking devices would be “pointless”.
“GPS devices acting solely as electronic bail checks are a waste of time and money,” he said.
Reign of terror in Brisbane suburb despite major police presence
Security vision has captured the moment two people are arrested in a backyard of a Brisbane suburb that continues to face a wave of break-ins and trespass incidents despite a major police presence. SEE THE VIDEO
Crime scene declared after body found in burnt out car
Police have established a crime scene after a body was found in a burnt-out car on a country road.