Queensland Police data shows 200 per cent increase in Townsville car thefts since 2015

Politicians are arguing over what annual police data means for Townsville, and on how best to solve youth crime, after a 200% increase in car thefts since 2015.

Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer with Member for Townsville Scott Stewart at the Cleveland Bay Youth Detention Centre. Picture: Evan Morgan

Townsville crime statistics have become the centre of a political battleground as opposition leader David Crisafulli claims crimes involving stolen cars have increased by 200 per cent.

There had been almost 2000 incidents of unlawful use of a motor vehicle in the Townsville police district last year according to Queensland Police Service data.

Mr Crisafulli said there had been 20,000 stolen cars across Queensland last year.

“That is a record,” he said.

Mr Crisafulli compared police data to the first year when the State Government took over from the former Campbell Newman led government in 2015, in which there were 650 incidents in Townsville.

“Labor has rolled out different laws, recycled plans and different faces, but this is the categoric proof the crime crisis has got worse under their watch,” Mr Crisafulli said.

QPS crime data since 2015 shows there has been more than 10,000 incidents of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

But Police Minister Mark Ryan said there had been changes to how data was recorded over time, and such changes included the former LNP government’s ban on the release of police data between 2012 to 2014.

Mr Crisafulli held back from offering a more dramatic crime increase to suit perceived political gain, and if he had taken the data that was available for 2014 it would have shown an increase 225 per cent.

KAP’s Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto said he was concerned about a new crime trend emerging, with several cars being torched as well as a vacant house burnt in Annandale this week.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli, Parliament House, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

He described the previous year as “tumultuous” for Townsville, which experienced car thefts, carjackings and armed robberies.

“The members of our Queensland Police Service are doing the best they can in trying circumstances and we have seen some impressive footage in recent days of our blue heroes apprehending certain suspects,” Mr Dametto said.

“But yet again, the revolving courtroom doors aided by Queensland’s weak youth justice laws, are failing the community.”

The Cleveland Bay Youth Detention Centre. Picture: Evan Morgan

Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer responded to the 200 per cent increase of stolen cars, while she was in Townsville to announce an increased number of intensive case managers assigned to rehabilitate high risk youth offenders.

She said the QPS statistics were monthly “raw data” which did not show certain trends in detail over a period of time.

Ms Farmer said that youth made up about 30 per cent of the crime statistics and that it had decreased by 35 per cent within the past 10 years.

Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer at the Cleveland Bay Youth Detention Centre with Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Lawson. Picture: Evan Morgan

She said there were 70 offenders locked up in the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre.

“But it is this group of serious repeat offenders, they are committing 50 per cent of the crime, she said.

“It’s why we have got strong laws, which in fact the LNP voted for and it’s why we are building new detention centres.

“We’re keeping the community safe with those laws, but we are addressing the reasons that they’re in here.”

“It’s all very well for the LNP to wander across the state and talk about what’s wrong, so far all I’ve heard from them is three slogans.

“They’re just going to magic it away, well, it’s more complicated than that.”

Police Minister Mark Ryan said the QPS data had been changed in how crime categories were recorded.

“That data, when analysed comprehensively, helps inform police response,” he said.

“Raw crime data shows that reported offences are up for some crime categories, and in fact down in some others, in Townsville and across the state,” he said.

“The government has increased supports for victims of crime and enshrined a voice for victims to guide further responses and reforms. 

“We have made it clear that responding to crime and supporting community safety is one of the highest priorities of the Miles government, which is why our government will continue to boost police resources.”

Originally published as Queensland Police data shows 200 per cent increase in Townsville car thefts since 2015