Premier pledges more resources for Far North cops as robberies rise

New resources will fuel premier David Crisafulli’s crusade against crime in the Far North with key statistics still on the rise across the region.

The Queensland Government has committed to funding the Polair police helicopter for another nine years. Police minister Dan Purdie, Premier David Crisafullii and Acting Commisioner Shane Chelepy made the announcement at the Edmonton Police Station on Thursday. Picture: Brendan Radke

New resources will fuel premier David Crisafulli’s crusade against crime in the Far North with key statistics still on the rise across the region.

The state’s top boss rolled out a laundry list of measures to aid the clamp down on Thursday with a police helicopter secured for Cairns for the next nine years and $35m to expand the Edmonton police station.

The state government has committed funds to keep its “eye in the sky” over Cairns. Picture: Queensland Police

Additionally, a youth detention school will be opened in the region next year to rehabilitate young offenders.

But the location, how many young offenders the school will accommodate and whether a 24-hour wraparound service for students will be provided have yet to be determined.

“We’re doing consultation on that at the moment and the community needs to know they’ll be respected, they’ll be valued and they’ll be listened to,” Mr Crisafulli said.

Robberies in the Far North are up 27 per cent for the first half of 2025 compared to last year with 98 break-and-enters occurring prior to June.

The Queensland Government has committed to funding the Polair police helicopter for another nine years. Member for Barron River Bree James, Queensland Police Minister Dan Purdie, Queensland Premier David Crisafullii, Acting Police Commisioner Shane Chelepy and Member for Mulgrave Terry James made the announcement at the Edmonton Police Station on Thursday. Picture: Brendan Radke

Just 77 occurred during the same period in 2024. Further, almost 50 more cars have been stolen in 2025 with figures up more than eight per cent against the first half of last year.

Police minister Dan Purdie said he still believed the LNP’s Adult Crime Adult Time measures were working.

“We know crime is still way too high,” Mr Purdie said. “Which is why we’re investing in these resources and tools for our police.

“Break-and-enter has gone down in every other region across the state.

“We’re investing over $100m into PolAir (police helicopter service) here and in the Sunshine Coast and we’ll have more to say on boots on the ground soon to drive down crime.”

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has committed $35m to upgrade Edmonton police station. Picture: Brendan Radke

Details on a proposed youth detention facility — which Labor had planned to include 40 beds south of Cairns — have yet to be finalised.

“You saw in the budget that we have a focus on improving our detention centre capacity,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“We have to do that but in terms of what was floated, a knee-jerk back of a postage stamp scribble by the last government, dumping it on the lap of Edmonton, that won’t happen.”

The LNP had failed to progress either the youth detention centre or the justice school quickly enough, Member for Cairns Michael Healy said.

“Every Monday the Cairns watch house is full because police have done their job,” Mr Healy said.

“You cannot seriously expect to be talking about locking juveniles up for longer and not building the appropriate infrastructure.”

Since October, PolAir has assisted in more than 650 calls for service, helping arrest 160 people and locate around 70 vehicles.

“I’m determined to make sure that we do all we can to arrest what is a youth crime crisis a decade in the making,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“It has to be about policing, enforcement and early intervention right throughout the system.”

Originally published as Premier pledges more resources for Far North cops as robberies rise