YOUNG THUGS ON NOTICE
LNP’S TOUGH PLAN TO STAMP OUT YOUTH CRIME
OPPOSITION Leader Deb Frecklington has outlined the LNP’S tough plan for taking back the city’s streets, if her party wins the October election.
It includes scrapping bail houses, enforcing tougher laws and monitoring young offenders around the clock.
“Young thugs committing violent crime, car theft and drug use won’t be the norm in Townsville under the LNP – it will be stamped out, ” she said.
The tough proposals came as footage emerged of children driving stolen cars at more than 180km/h along Townsville streets with obscenities blaring through their speakers.
Ms Frecklington said in Townsville yesterday the videos were a shocking display of ignorance and yet more evidence of the youth crime epidemic under Labor’s soft laws.
FOOTAGE has emerged of children driving at more than 180km/h along Townsville streets, “f--- the police” playing through speakers, as they joyride in stolen cars during the night.
The latest batch of vision comes after a spate of car thefts last week, which included a red Mitsubishi Lancer belonging to Mount Louisa resident Aaron Davies. The children can be seen speeding around Townsville in Mr Davies’ car, as well as another stolen Mazda BT-50, which were both later found dumped. Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington, who visited Townsville yesterday, said the videos were disappointing.
“This shocking display of ignorance is yet more evidence of the youth crime epidemic in North Queensland under Labor’s soft laws.” she said.
“These young crims have no respect for the police, the law or the community and it’s got to stop.”
Queensland Police data showed 10 unlawful use of a motor vehicle charges have been laid this month.
The footage, which was posted to one of the children’s Instagram accounts, shows at least three people in the red sedan while a young driver joyrides through the city. The driver takes the through a park in daylight, and another video shows the car being driven at excessive speed during the night. At one point the car’s speedometer hit 180km/h while speeding on a straight road. A song with the lyrics “f--the police” plays in the background.
Ms Frecklington said Townsville residents needed to be put first.
“The LNP will put community safety first and give our police the laws and resources they need to rebalance the scales of justice in favour of crime victims and the community,” she said.
The videos come just a few weeks since the death of four teenagers who were killed in an alleged stolen car crash at Garbutt.
The family of one of the late teens, Lucius Baira-hill, warned young children to stop stealing cars at the 13-yearold’s funeral last month.
The teenage driver of the car has been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, among eight other offences.
Mr Davies said he felt “violated” that his car was stolen while he slept and urged people to get deadlocks installed. His car was found at Rasmussen at the weekend.
The Mazda was found at Kirwan on Saturday with minor damage.
Police are still investigating.