Car crime reaches new high
CAR break-ins and thefts in Townsville have never been more frequent this year, with October the most dangerous month so far.
According to Queensland Police’s online crime map, 180 offences for unlawful use of a motor vehicle were recorded in the Townsville QPS district last month.
The total was 10 more than the previous monthly high for 2022 of 170 offences in January.
It was the third month in a row the monthly figures had surged, following on from 88 offences in August and 122 offences in September.
Based on those figures, the amount of car-related offences has more than doubled in the Townsville police district in three months.
Speaking on Wednesday, Acting Assistant Commissioner Glenn Morris said it was “difficult” to give a single reason behind the rising numbers.
The statistics come as three teenage boys were caught out on November 2 after officers observed an allegedly stolen black dual cab on Nelson St in South Townsville.
The teens, including a 13year-old and two 14-year-olds, were spotted in a unit in the street and arrested.
All three teens were charged with unlawful use of a car, and the 13-year-old and the 14-yearold were dealt with under the Youth Justices Act.
The other 14-year-old was charged with additional offences and will appear in the Townsville Children’s Court later this month.
Acting AC Morris said police introduced Operation Anthea on October 24 to target and respond to the rising property crime statistics in Townsville.
“It is very important we are adaptable in our policing responses to be able to address specific trends and spikes in crime, and we’re doing that,” he said.
“We’re unfortunately seeing increasing offending behaviour for property crime throughout the state, and unfortunately Townsville is not immune to that. “We’ve seen an increase in property crime and particularly unlawful use offences over the past 12 months, and we are aligning and structuring our resources to address this issue, and we will continue to do that.”
Acting AC Morris reminded residents to do basic things including locking their homes, keeping their valuables out of sight and securing car keys to reduce their chances of becoming a crime victim.
It is very important we are adaptable in our policing responses GLENN MORRIS