Data reveals Far North as state’s youth crime capital
The Far North is officially the state’s youth crime capital, according to newly-released Queensland Police Service data.
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The Far North is officially the state’s youth crime capital, according to newly-released Queensland Police Service data.
The new LNP state government has released new police data, which it says unveils the true extent of Labor’s youth crime crisis, just days after the Making Queensland Safer laws were passed.
The figures reveal more than 13,100 repeat youth offenders have been caught across Queensland breaching bail this year, between January 1 and November 30.
The Far North police region was named the worst in Queensland for youth crime with more than 2080 breach of bail offences and more than 1000 cars stolen by juveniles.
The data shows the Far North’s youth crime scourge has eclipsed even Townsville – historically a worse police region for crime.
Alongside 2082 reported breach of bail offences and 1017 stolen cars, there have been 112 robberies committed by juveniles in the Far North so far this year.
Townsville has racked up 1923 reported breach of bail offences, 642 stolen cars, and 130 robberies committed by juveniles.
That’s compared to South Brisbane, where there were 1080 reported breach of bail offences, 956 stolen cars and 256 robberies by young criminals.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the Making Queensland Safer laws would create a strong deterrent for these youth offenders.
“Queensland Police officers now have another weapon their arsenal – strong laws,” Mr Purdie said.
“Young people who have a blatant disregard for the law by committing serious offences in our communities will now have to face the consequences for their actions.”
Mr Purdie said the LNP state government was committed to ensuring fewer people became victims of crime by implementing tough laws, gold standard early intervention programs and rehabilitating youth criminals.
“We have made it very clear to Queenslanders the Government will drive down victim numbers and put a stop to the spiralling youth crime crisis,” he said.
The passing of the Making Queensland Safer laws comes as Queensland Police Service reviews how its watch-houses operate and staff are trained amid systemic issues and occupancy by an increasing number of children.
In September, a scathing report by the Inspector of Detention Services warned “consequences could be catastrophic” without changes to the detention of children in the Cairns watch house.
The report by Inspector of Detention Services Anthony Reilly made 19 improvement recommendations that addressed concerns about admission processes, lack of privacy, assessment of risk and harm, and children being detained in watch houses for lengthy periods.
Mr Reilly said children could be held without charge in the Cairns watch house for “many weeks” and are often already vulnerable with significant health complexities and traumatic backgrounds.
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