Juveniles aged 10 to 17 most likely to steal a car in Gold Coast, Logan crime report shows

Brazen criminals aged as young as 10 are preying on luxury car owners across the Gold Coast. Find out how bad the problem is in your suburb.

KID crims aged 10 to 17 are more likely to steal a car than any other age group in the south eastern police region, which includes the Gold Coast.

The stunning statistic comes as police say juveniles, fuelled by chasing notoriety through their social media exploits, are targeting affluent suburbs in search of luxury vehicles but are also taking advantage of poor security.

The Bulletin has previously revealed teenage thugs from a Brisbane gang have been creeping south and gloating about their “earns” and run-ins with police on social media.

A police union rep recently said teen crims were swarming like “locusts on a field” breaking into homes and stealing cars in one suburb, before moving on to the next.

Juveniles between age 10 and 17 are most likely to steal a vehicle out of any age group in the Gold Coast and Logan police districts, data in the 12 months to June 2019 shows.

A screenshot from a social media account that highlights criminal exploits.

Boys were more likely to be caught behind the wheel with 404 instances in that period compared to girls on 117 occasions, police data from the recent annual crime report shows.

Thieves aged between 30 and 39 were the next likely age bracket to steal a car, with 366 instances, followed by those aged 18 to 24 caught 356 times.

Juveniles were caught behind the wheel of a stolen car more than any other age group in every police region in Queensland, according to the data.

It comes as figures by the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council reveal Southport had 178 car thefts and Surfers Paradise had 158, making them the worst hit suburbs on the Gold Coast last year. Nerang had 85 and Labrador with 96 were also hit hard by car thieves.

Gold Coast Police Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler said young offenders were looking for unlocked vehicles, and unsecured property.

“It’s virtually impossible to steal these luxury cars, unless you have the key,” Supt Wheeler said.

“If the key is in the car, or very close to the back door or its in a house that's unlocked, it’s almost inviting them.

“The message is we ask the community to take basic security measures like locking their house, and locking their cars, securing the property.”

MORE NEWS

Volunteer firefighters asked to patrol Queensland-NSW border block

Gold Coast runners take on 70km trek from O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat to Currumbin beach in one day

Gold Coast coronavirus: New tourism campaign launches to plug $310m hole in economy

Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler said young offenders were looking for unlocked vehicles, and unsecured property. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

Supt Wheeler said police began a property crime operation targeting the entertainment precinct, the southern Gold Coast and suburbs like Benowa and Ashmore in April.

New state laws this week mean a child “must” be kept — instead of “may” be kept — in custody if unacceptable risk to the safety or welfare of a person, or if there is unacceptable risk to community safety.