Time to clean up streets: Harper

A LABOR MP has admitted “it’s time” to clean up the city’s crime-riddled streets, less than two months out from the state election.

Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper is calling for a specialist police operation to crack down on car thieves, coming out of the pre-election woodwork.

His call comes after the Townsville Bulletin revealed how an alleged vigilante was chased and bashed by a group of car thieves on Sunday night.

The cars crashed outside Kirwan Police Station, before the thieves jumped on the car, stomped on the windscreen and assaulted the alleged vigilante, before fleeing in a getaway car.

The incident sparked outrage in the police force, with Townsville District Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon asking vigilantes to let police do their job.

Mr Harper said the incidents triggered him to call on Deputy Commissioner Paul Taylor to target these kinds of offenders.

He is calling for a specialised police operation in Townsville to specifically target car thieves.

“Everything I have seen in recent times, says this is serious offending, so I want even more done to protect our community. I know that the Queensland Police Service has always been responsive and proactive when I have raised issues of concern with them.”

LNP candidate for Thuringowa Natalie Marr said it was “too little too late”.

“Parliament sits for the last week before the election and after five long years of toeing the party line Mr Harper will no doubt finally start throwing a few chocolates around,” she said. “Our city cannot afford another four long years of inaction … our city’s great reputation is being tarnished by a group of thugs who know our youth justice system is a joke.”

Mr Harper said he had already brought up the idea to Police Minister Mark Ryan, who was supportive of the move. He was unaware of the operational details, but said he would “advocate for his community” if more police were needed to run the operation.

“They are a menace, putting not only themselves and people in my community in danger but also causing significant damage to private and public property,” he said. “It’s time to clean up our streets and I will do everything on my capacity as the local MP to help make our community safe.”

Mr Harper is up against a stack of candidates in the upcoming October 31 election, including Ms Marr, Katter’s Australia Party candidate Julianne Wood and One Nation candidate Troy Thompson.