Youth crime Qld: The state’s worst place for offences on a per capita basis

New statistics have pinpointed the worst youth crime hot spots across Queensland, with one city head and shoulders above the rest. SEARCH THE TABLE

• Watch: My night in Qld’s most crime-riddled town

Mount Isa is the clear youth crime capital of the state on a per population basis, with new statistics pinpointing the worst teen crime hot spots across Queensland.

Multiple Queensland local government areas have seen the number of youth crime offenders climb over the past five years – even accounting for population growth – including Brisbane, Gladstone, the Gold Coast and Townsville, an exclusive analysis of youth crime data can reveal.

Youths gather along Able Smith Pde, Mount Isa. Picture: Liam Kidston

And on a proportion of population, Mount Isa – which local MP Robbie Katter has called “ground zero” of the state’s crime crisis – had the highest figure of any local government area, with 82 young offenders in 2022 from a local government area population of about 19,000.

That was three times the rate of the next city – Cairns – which had 226 offenders out of a population of 169,312.

Mr Katter has repeatedly referred to Mount Isa as Queensland’s “ground zero” on youth crime and has accused the state government of treating its residents as “second-class citizens” by not visiting the town.

Despite its relatively small population, the Katter’s Australian Party leader said about 788 homes were broken into and 195 cars stolen last year.

On pure offender numbers, Brisbane’s rate of teen criminals has jumped 36 per cent, Gladstone’s 45 per cent and Townsville’s 22 per cent since 2016, with more than 700 teen criminals with at least one proven offence in those three cities alone last year.

Overall, 19 local government areas saw the number of offenders rise in the past year.

Earlier this month the Palaszczuk government introduced new youth crime laws including breach of bail, with Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard telling The Courier-Mail the government was determined to break the cycle of youth offending.

Police find and arrest two alleged juvenile offenders hiding in bushland south of Townsville near Cape Cleveland. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“As part of its comprehensive response to youth crime, the Palaszczuk government has announced that it will invest more than $100m in additional funds into programs proven to make a difference in breaking the cycle of youth offending,” she said. “This includes expanding intensive case management, youth co-responded teams and our stronger communities initiatives to communities that need them.”

But LNP police spokesman Dale Last slammed Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for not travelling to communities where youth crime was spiralling, particularly in the regions.

“Premier Palaszczuk chose to go to rock concerts and red carpets but couldn’t be bothered to attend her government’s crime forums in these communities,” he said.

“Crime has exploded with the Palaszczuk Labor government’s weak laws and fewer police. The least the Premier could do is give these communities the laws and the respect they deserve.

“The LNP has clear solutions on the table including introducing breach of bail as an offence, unshackling the judiciary by removing detention as a last resort, and gold-standard early intervention.”

Ms Linard said further investments would be made in grassroots early intervention and On Country programs.

“The evidence clearly shows that these programs are getting results in diverting young people from crime,” she said. “At the same time and to target serious repeat offenders, the government has introduced new laws and tougher penalties,” she said.

“We are also funding more frontline police officers and giving them the tools they need to respond to crime in our community.”

A group of young people roaming the streets late at night in Mount Isa. Picture: Liam Kidston