LNP claims small drop in car thefts, break-ins due to adult time, adult crime laws
The LNP has been accused of “cherry picking” data and “sloganeering” after comments made over a drop in the number of certain crimes reported over the Christmas-New Year period.
QLD News
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The LNP has been accused of “cherry picking” data and “sloganeering” after comments made over a drop in the number of certain crimes reported over the Christmas-New Year period.
It comes after the Queensland government claimed a drop in the number of break-ins and car thefts over the period was testament to harsh new adult crime, adult time laws.
New Queensland Police figures show 8335 break-ins were reported across December and January of 2023-24 compared to 7832 in the same period in 2024-25 – a drop of 6 per cent.
Similarly, there was a 6 per cent decline in reported car thefts with 3755 across December and January of 2023-24 compared to 3511 in 2024-25.
Premier David Crisafulli earlier said the numbers were an early sign the government’s tough stance on youth crime was working, but he admitted there was still a “huge task” ahead.
“We remain laser-focused on turning the tide on youth crime and we’ll continue delivering the reforms needed to restore safety where you live,” he said.
“This is a very small step on the journey of fixing Queensland’s youth crime crisis and we are prepared to do whatever it takes to see it through.”
While statistics did not indicate if youth crime itself had fallen – which would show the effectiveness of Adult Crime, Adult Time measures – Mr Crisafulli said they made up “more than 50 per cent” of the number.
Mr Crisafulli said he was “far from satisfied” with the figures, as he addressed concerns about machete-wielding criminals in Rochedale South.
As fearful residents established community patrols to watch for youth criminal activity in southern Brisbane suburbs, Mr Crisafulli accepted there had to be further changes.
He was “far from satisfied” with police statistics as it showed number of offences rather than number of victims, criminals, and those attending the Children’s Court, but the government took heart with decreases.
“This is the number of offenders’ offences, and your question before is a very relevant one relating how it relates to youth criminals,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“When it comes to break and enters and stolen cars, the vast majority are young offenders, so when these numbers are going down, it’s a sign that things are heading in the right direction.”
Police Minister Dan Purdie said police numbers were also being boosted to combat crime.
“We are delivering strong laws and more police to start unpicking the damage from a decade of chaos and crisis,” he said.
Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick later said community watch groups patrolling South Brisbane suburbs such as Rochedale in response to fears over armed thugs showed they were not seeing crime legislation working.
He accused the government of “cherry picking” QPS data and “sloganeering” to show crime was being stopped.
Mr Dick said the government promised youth crime would be fixed by Christmas but severe violent offences showed this not to be the case.
“Crime can’t be fixed by Christmas,” Mr Dick said, alluding to ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’ and ‘Gold Standard Early Intervention’ phrases the government used.
“The police officers that I spoke to working in cities like Logan and around the state, they never faced more pressure.”
Originally published as LNP claims small drop in car thefts, break-ins due to adult time, adult crime laws
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