Townsville youth crime wave strikes Hinchinbrook towns of Ingham, Forrest Beach

Police in the comparatively crime-free Hinchinbrook Shire have issued a stark warning to locals after the Townsville juvenile crime wave struck with a shudder.

Ingham Police has warned residents in the district, including in Ingham and the coastal towns, to lock their homes at night and to remain vigilant, “even during the day”, following a number of serious crimes involving Townsville youth. Picture: Supplied

Police in the comparatively crime-free Hinchinbrook Shire have issued a stark warning to locals after the Townsville juvenile crime wave struck close to home.

Ingham Police warned residents in the district, including in Ingham and the coastal towns, to lock their homes at night and to remain vigilant, “even during the day”, following a number of serious incidents involving Townsville youth.

Senior Sergeant Geoff Bormann confirmed that a number of homes had been broken into in the picturesque seaside town of Forrest Beach in the early hours of Friday morning.

He said the offenders, believed to be from Townsville, made off with wallets and phones.

“At one residence, the offenders located car keys and stole a 2022 black GWM utility,” he said.

“This vehicle has since been located dumped in Townsville.”

Senior Sergeant Geoff Bormann, the officer in charge of Ingham Police. Picture: Cameron Bates

The officer-in-charge of Ingham Police Station said a more disturbing incident occurred on Tuesday morning, involving reports of “a number of persons wearing long, dark clothes, balaclavas and hoodies in a white vehicle acting suspiciously in the Ingham area”.

“They have entered a home in Morehead Street while an occupant was home, located car keys and stolen a black 2024 Kia Sportage.”

He said the offenders were “disturbed and confronted by the resident”.

“It is believed they fled in the stolen Kia and a previously stolen white Audi A5 back to Townsville,” he said.

“Police are utilising Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology along with the Polair Helicopter track and locate the vehicles.”

The victim, a female health worker who is understood to have bravely fought back against three attackers after she was ambushed in her own home, has been left traumatised by the incident.

Snr Sgt Bormann said the offenders were travelling to Hinchinbrook from Townsville in stolen vehicles.

“It is concerning that they are brazen enough to be wandering our streets in broad daylight, entering homes, stealing property and vehicles,” he said.

“Please lock your homes at night and be aware of your surroundings and even during the day be vigilant and keep an eye out for suspicious persons and if you see anyone entering yards and houses please call Triple 0.”

Originally published as Townsville youth crime wave strikes Hinchinbrook towns of Ingham, Forrest Beach