MUST SOMEONE DIE BEFORE AUTHORITIES ACT?

ORDINARY citizens have struggled to get authorities to pay any real attention to what has fast become one of the greatest problems we face – the wave of youth crime washing over the Gold Coast.

This newspaper has detailed multiple cases in which vehicles have been stolen and trashed, most usually after offenders have broken into the homes to take keys.

As alarming footage revealed today makes clear, the danger to the public is not just one of property loss. The way these stolen vehicles are being driven on our roads, often by people too young to hold a licence, means there is a very real danger to life and limb.

Will it take the loss of innocent life before the state government gives police the resources they need to stamp out this problem?

If it does, there will be serious questions to answer, because there can be little doubt they have been very well warned.