Financial assistance to cover towing costs for victims of vehicle theft to be  expanded statewide

Published Thursday, 30 May, 2024 at 06:38 PM

Minister for Police and Community Safety
The Honourable Mark Ryan

  • Funding has been announced to expand QPS’ Towing of Motor Vehicles scheme to ease financial burden for victims of crime.
  • Scheme will cover the costs of recovering a stolen vehicle for the victim, including towing and initial storage.
  • The scheme is expected to expand state-wide by September.

The State Government has announced new funding to expand the Queensland Police Service’s Towing of Motor Vehicles scheme, to ensure all victims of vehicle thefts across Queensland have the costs of recovery covered.

The scheme aims to ease the financial burden on victims of crime, by covering the costs of towing and initial storage when a stolen vehicle is located, and ensuring it’s returned to its rightful owner as soon as possible.

At the same time police will not relent in their dedicated efforts and major operations targeting criminal behaviour, which police advise are helping to reduce crime in a number of regions across the state.

The towing scheme is part of the Community Safety Plan for Queensland, backed by $1.28 billion in additional investment from the government.

It builds on the successful measures that we have seen reduce offending in the first quarter of this year, with new investment and expanded initiatives.

The plan is focused on five key pillars, backed by evidence, including:

  • Supporting victims
  • Delivering for our frontline
  • Detaining offenders to protect the community
  • Intervening early
  • Preventing crime before it occurs

Following a successful trial in Townsville, the new funding to expand the scheme will build on the State Government’s commitment to support victims of crime.

Queensland Police Service is leading the scheme, which commenced a trial in Townsville in April 2023.

It is expected to expand to south-east Queensland by July and across the rest of the state by September.

Quotes attributable to Minister Mark Ryan:

“The State Government is committed to continually supporting victims of crime.

“This scheme is just one way we hope to ease the burden and stand with victims, as our dedicated police work to find the offenders responsible and hold them to account.

“We know the deep impact being a victim of crime can have, and we hope this scheme plays a small role in providing a reprieve.

“The community can rest assured that police will continue their targeted operations to reduce criminal offending with Operation Whiskey Unison, Taskforce Guardian and Operation Whiskey Legion continuing to have real impacts in reducing, disrupting and preventing crime.”

Quotes attributable to Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper:

“Nobody should be a victim of crime anywhere but as a government we stand ready to help those impacted.

“I have heard directly from people in Townsville about the burden having a car stolen is which is why I pushed so hard to make this scheme permanent.”

Quotes attributable to Townsville MP Scott Stewart:

“Community safety is my number one priority but if a crime happens we will support those affected.

“By covering the cost of towing and make sure the vehicle is returned to its owners as soon as possible, this scheme means one less thing for a victim to have to deal with.

Quotes attributable to Mundingburra MP Les Walker:

“No amount of crime is acceptable but we stand ready as a government to support people impacted through this scheme.

“As a government we are backing the police to make sure they can keep our community safe but we will make sure victims are supported too.”

Quotes attributable to Acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Pilotto:

“To expand this scheme state-wide will mean all Queenslanders can have their vehicles returned to them when possible, without bearing the cost of recovery.

“Our first priority is keeping our communities safe, and we will continue relentless efforts to disrupt, prevent and investigate property crime offending across the state.

“But if someone does become a victim, we hope to ensure they are given every support possible to recover and feel supported and protected while doing so.”

Fast facts:

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