CRIME FIGHTING FIGURES MIXED

THE Townsville Stronger Community Action Group has been praised for a reduction in crime despite young offenders continuing to terrorise the city.

Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minster Mark Ryan was in Townsville yesterday spruiking an 8 per cent drop in overall crime since the program was launched last October.

However, crime statistics released last week showed a spike in crime during the 12month period to June 30.

The stats showed a 45 per cent increase in robberies from male offenders aged 10- 17 and an 18 per cent increase in unlawful entry throughout North Queensland.

In Townsville, there was a 42 per cent increase in robberies and a 33 per cent increase in unlawful entries across all offenders during that period.

This followed a 13 per cent increase in overall crime during the previous financial year.

Mr Ryan attributed the crime spike in the 12 months to June 30 to inconsistency between figures.

“There was a period of time at the end of last year, early this year where there were some pretty bad crooks out there and the police did a great job catching them,” Mr Ryan said.

Opposition police spokesman Tim Mander said crime was soaring in North Queensland and ridiculed the Government’s “soft” approach.

“Just ask anybody in Townsville if they feel safer in their own homes or on the streets compared to three years ago,” Mr Mander said.

The Townsville Stronger Communities Action Group is working with more than 120 families, supporting young offenders and working with their parents or guardians to try to change their attitude.

Co- ordinator Inspector Glenn Doyle said there had been mixed results to date.

However, Insp Doyle said some repeat offenders had turned their lives around.