Cairns residents turn to weapons and home security amid youth crime crisis

One in four Cairns residents are arming themselves with weapons such as machetes, guns and baseball bats to fend off youth criminals, a chilling survey has revealed.

One in four Cairns residents are arming themselves with weapons including machetes, guns and baseball bats to fend off youth criminals, a chilling survey has revealed.

Data collected from 50 random residents showed most people have improved their home security and some are reliant on weapons following recent events in the community.

Cairns Post surveyed 50 random residents to gauge if they have improved their personal or home security in recent times. Shockingly, 88 per cent of residents had upgraded their security and 26 per cent were actively arming themselves in their home.

In 88 per cent of responses, residents said they had recently upgraded their home security and 26 per cent of people said they had resorted to using weapons to defend their home.

The survey results found people had attack dogs, installed barbed wire fences and had baseball bats, knives and irritant sprays in their possession.

One survey respondent said they had resorted to stashing weapons in different rooms following fears for their safety.

“I replaced all security screens and windows screens, security cameras, roller door lock windows,” survey respondent said.

“I have a knife hidden in every room, my dog stays inside and I lock every bedroom door from the outside.”

Survey respondents reported using weapons like guns, machetes and sprays to ward off intruders in their home. Photo: istock.

Security cameras were the most popular home improvement with more than 35 per cent of people installing new systems at their house.

Tropic Surveillance owner Adam Fretwell said there had been an increased demand for home security across Cairns.

“People are putting a lot of home security systems in because the crime rate in Cairns is insane,” Mr Fretwell said.

“It has definitely ramped up.”

Tropical Surveillance owner Adam Fretwell said there had been an explosion in people wanting home security systems, but warned cheaper alternatives had flooded the market. Picture: supplied.

But the surveillance system expert warned consumers were buying cheaper DIY alternatives.

“Everyone is buying these cheaper alternatives you get from Bunnings … it’s a little bit crippling for this industry so a lot of the security companies are really concentrating on commercial work,” Mr Fretwell said.

“Most of them are battery operated and batteries run out of juice and they are all pretty much wi-fi units so if your internet goes down you don’t have access to them.

“They are just not very well built units, they are cheaply made but costs a lot of money.”

Queensland Police warned against people arming themselves.

A spokeswoman for the Queensland Police Service said using weapons could escalate situations and potentially open homeowners to legal ramifications.

“To ensure community safety, police urge members of the public to not engage in methods of disrupting criminal activity or reprisal,” a QPS spokeswoman said.

“People who do, could very well have any weapon turned on themselves, or in some cases could themselves face legal recourse dependent on their actions.

Data compiled from 50 residents across cairns revealed more than 35% of people had purchased new security systems and more than 30% of people had purchased a dog for their home safety.

QPS implored residents to use other ways to prevent robberies.

“Residents are urged to consider home security measures including CCTV cameras, sensor lights, secure locks, security screens, and having regular contact with your neighbours,” the spokeswoman said.

“Homes with windows or doors left open or unsecured are more likely to attract a potential offender.

“Similarly, curtains closed during the day and mail left to accumulate will indicate you are not home and increase your risk of an opportunistic break-in.”

The Far North was officially named the state’s youth crime capital in November 2024, according to Queensland Police Service data released last year.

Cairns has since recorded a decrease in crime between January and February 2025, with assaults down 11.6 per cent, drug offences down 7.4 per cent, and thefts down 9.8 per cent.

Originally published as Cairns residents turn to weapons and home security amid youth crime crisis