Townsville youth crime: Car theft spike triggers fresh fight

Townsville’s car theft crisis roared back to life in March, with an average of five cars stolen daily, before the numbers dipped last month as police intensified their crackdown on the worst offenders. Check out the crime data.

Townsville’s car theft crisis roared back to life in March, with an average of five cars stolen daily, before the numbers dipped last month as police intensified their crackdown on the worst offenders.

Police data reveals that Townsville recorded 164 unlawful use of motor vehicle offences in March, mirroring the grim figures from March 2023 when 162 cars were stolen.

This surge occurred despite the deployment of the hi-tech Polair helicopter, which was expected to aid significantly in tracking down car thieves.

The latest spike in thefts was followed by some respite in April when offences fell back down to 109, 18 per cent down compared to the same period last year.

This comes after January and February saw a notable decline in car thefts, with incidents dropping by 23 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively.

It comes as police arrested multiple juveniles last week in relation to a series of alleged vehicle, property, and violence offences committed over a days-long rampage.

Townsville Police Acting Superintendent Dean Cavanagh acknowledged the recent crime spike was concerning but insisted the overall level of offending was still lower this year because young offenders were now being arrested much quicker.

“Due to the co-ordinated response, and especially the aerial support that we’re getting, we’re actually arresting these guys a lot sooner, before they get on that trajectory of committing further offences,” he said.

Acting Inspector Dean Cavanagh. Picture: Matt Taylor

“So on average, the offending is a lot lower. The period that these offenders are out in the community committing harm is less. It seems to be working.”

A spokeswoman for Premier Steven Miles praised Townsville’s permanent police helicopter for helping police and improving community safety.

She pointed out that April’s crime data showed fewer offences, proving their strategy is working.

However, Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto criticised the Labor youth justice system for the recent crime waves, calling for tougher measures.

He supported the addition of the PolAir helicopter but stressed the need for the courts to lock up repeat offenders for longer and use relocation sentencing.

“Until then, PolAir will continue to be an extremely expensive game of cat and mouse,” he said.

Nick Dametto, KAP Deputy Leader and Member for Hinchinbrook. Picture: Shae Beplate.

LNP Shadow Police Minister Dan Purdie warned that Townsville’s crime problem will likely get worse once special police operations end.

Since June 2023, Brisbane-based police from Taskforce Guardian have been sent to Townsville 14 times.

However, Purdie argued that this strategy from the Miles Government is just a temporary solution.

He believes crime will rise again when these extra officers leave Townsville and return to Brisbane.

Originally published as Townsville youth crime: Car theft spike triggers fresh fight