Youth crime Qld: New figure shows extent of state’s crackdown

Amid the crime data around the state government’s offensive against youth crime, one figure stands out as a true indicator.

Crime data exposes the level of juvenile offences in Queensland.

• Explained: Qld’s youth crime crisis

About 47 juveniles are being arrested every day as part of the state government’s latest crackdown on youth crime.

Government figures show in the first quarter of 2025 there were 4235 juveniles arrested and 18,028 charges laid on youth offenders across the state.

The latest stats show there were 12,378 wandings under Jack’s Law, with 112 weapons seized and 22 deployments of the State Flying Squad into crime hotspots.

The figures show a 9 per cent decrease in stolen cars in the first quarter of this year compared with the same quarter last year, and a 12 per cent decrease in break-ins in the same period.

At a media conference on Monday, Premier David Crisafulli said Flying Squads bolstering hotspots was responsible for the decline.

Deputy Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon, appearing alongside Mr Crisafulli and Police Minister Dan Purdie, said the squad’s operation in Cairns was likely to make 500 charges against 200 people.

“Yes, they are high risk high crime offenders, and that’s what this is about, that surge capacity,” she said.

Mr Crisafulli said it was clear the Queensland Police Service was using its resources effectively.

“The Flying Squad works effectively when you have local police that are well resourced and being able to do their job,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“And they come in over the top not to plug holes, but it’s an extra surge capacity as a way of just growing a real focus on a particular issue at the time.”

Premier David Crisafulli with Police Minister Dan Purdie and Deputy Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon at the Upper Mount Gravatt Police Station. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Mr Purdie said Queenslanders deserved safety.

“And police deserve support, and we are delivering on both to start wrestling back control from Labor’s youth crime crisis,’ he said.

“Although it is very early days we’re starting to see the early impact of ‘adult crime, adult time’ but there is much more to be done to make Queensland safer, and we’ll continue working to make Queensland safer.”

It comes after statistics released from the government last year showed a 32 per cent drop in cases against children charged with at least one of an initial 13 ­offences included in the new laws, with 1359 cases lodged between December 13 and March 28 – down 756 cases on the same period the year prior.

The laws, which Mr Crisafulli staked his future premiership on, vowing a reduction in the number of victims of crime, include adult sentences for children convicted of a list of serious offences.

They include murder, manslaughter, unlawful striking causing death, grievous bodily harm, wounding, serious assault, burglary and unlawful use of a vehicle.

Mr Crisafulli said it was the crime crackdown Queenslanders were crying out for.

“It will take time to reverse Labor’s decade of despair from weak crime laws and a generation of youth criminals, but finally the tide is slowly turning,” he said.

“Stronger laws, more police, early intervention and rehabilitation are all part of the fresh start for a safer Queensland.”

The government has already begun to expand the “adult crime, adult time” laws with new legislation before parliament aimed to extend the tough sentencing to 22 offences.

The offences which are set to be added include going armed to cause fear, threatening violence, assaulting a pregnant woman and killing or doing harm to an unborn child, ramming an emergency vehicle, endangering a police officer, several rape offences, stealing a vehicle or firearm and kidnapping.

Originally published as Youth crime Qld: New figure shows extent of state’s crackdown