Crime link: How trains and trams connect to send youth gangs to the Gold Coast

The father of 17-year-old Jack Beasley who died after a knife attack says more needs to be done to stop crime on the light and heavy rail being ‘that is where the problem starts straight away’.

Can public transport like light rail be blamed for an uplift in crime? Our perceptions of safety, particularly at night, is the city’s biggest debate. The reality is as clear as day.

A survey in a council safety audit report shows only 39 per cent of people feel safe at night.

Councillor Hermann Vorster has called on the state government to provide more CCTV cameras sensing the trams to Burleigh could “import more crime to southern communities as light rail snakes south”.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey backed the CCTV coverage and security on the line. Deputy Mayor Donna Gates maintains residents think the city is safe and says police data shows that.

Back in January, a parliamentary committee reviewed Jack’s Law – the additional powers granted to police for weapon detection and named after Gold Coast teen Jack Beasley who died after a knife attack in 2019.

Cook MP Cynthia Lui asked Kim Daniel, City community safety chief, a critical question about the weapon wanding trial, which from April 2021 to January 2023 saw 242 weapons seized and 656 offenders charged.

Jack Beasley (right) with dad Brett. Picture: Facebook

Would focusing on Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach move knife crime to other locations?

“We were concerned about the displacement of anti-social behaviour as a result of the trial, particularly as the heavy rail links with the light rail here on the Gold Coast,” Ms Daniel said.

“I think it is vital for us in terms of that expansion to include those transport hubs, which I think will assist in mitigating those risks.”

Senior police asked for transport hubs to be included in a permanent wanding operation.

Ms Daniel referred to the council survey which showed “49 per cent did not feel safe travelling on public transport at night and around 35 per cent during the day”.

Bonney MP Sam O’Connor, who was with Jack’s parents, Brett and Belinda at the committee hearing, talked about Helensvale train-tram connection being a “hot spot for youth”.

Mr Beasley told the committee: “We think more could be done at the actual changeover point from the heavy to the light rail, because that is where the problem starts straight away. They are on the heavy rail from the north.

G:link customer service staff at a Gold Coast light rail station.

“How are you able to freely walk onto it? Our son’s killer walked on with a knife. He travelled all the way from Brisbane down to the Gold Coast and did what he did.”

QPS railway squad statistics show the number of people caught with unlawful possession of a knife ranges from 128 to 180 each year.

A police source notes that the railway squad is not assigned to light rail.

“We need to have police covertly and overtly approach them on the way down. It’s a no-brainer (with light rail going to Burleigh), it will cause problems,” the source says.

On a Saturday afternoon, waiting at Helensvale for heavy rail to a Titans game – you celebrate watching youths all dressed up at the trams to attend a Supanova.

On return in the dark – you scour the car park before using your keys to open a door.

On return on Monday morning – in the light of day, another assault. Will the kids be all right getting to school?

Burleigh Heads Light rail stop - Major construction is underway on Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 (GCLR3), with upgrades to the Southport depot and essential underground services in Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach. Renders from Queensland Government

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