MEDIA STATEMENT: YOUTH CRIME BOMBSHELL: Decade of Youth Crime Crisis laid bare  

YOUTH CRIME BOMBSHELL: Decade of Youth Crime Crisis laid bare  

• Crime Report Queensland 2023-24 exposes shocking trajectory of the Queensland Youth Crime Crisis under a decade of Labor Government. 
• Between 2014 and 2024, robbery increased by 100%, stolen cars increased by 91% and break-ins (unlawful entry) rose 28.3%. 
• The number of youth charged with stolen cars and robbery tripled; number of youth charged with break-ins and assault doubled. 
• Most common age of an offender in Queensland is 15 years old.
• Crisafulli Government’s up for the challenge of fixing Labor’s mess and is expanding Adult Crime, Adult Time in Parliament this week. 

The Crime Report Queensland 2023-2024 has exposed the shocking trajectory of Queensland’s Youth Crime Crisis over the past decade.  

The Report reveals between 2014 and 2024, the number of youth charged with stolen cars and robbery tripled, and the number of youth charged with break-ins and assault doubled.  

The data revealed the most common age of an offender in Queensland was 15 years old – comprising of 12,268 fifteen-year-olds charged last financial year alone. 

Some of the other damning discoveries between 2014-15 to 2023-24: 

• Recorded offences in Queensland increased 18%
• Break-ins (unlawful entry) 28.3%
• Stolen vehicles increased 91%
• Robbery increased 100.9%
• Armed Robbery increased 82.3%
• Kidnapping increased 82.2%
• Arson 28.5%
• Rape and attempted rape increased 92.2% 

Across the decade the number of juveniles charged with stealing cars skyrocketed from 2,155 to more than 7,000, while the number of young offenders charged with break-ins nearly doubled from 5,138 to 9,658. 

The Crisafulli Government is delivering stronger laws to make Queensland safer after a decade of Labor’s weak laws created a generation of hardcore repeat offenders. 

That includes Adult Crime, Adult Time, with an expansion to 33 youth crimes introduced to Parliament this week, to deliver consequences for action and restore safety where you live.   

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the statistics painted a grim picture of the impact of Labor’s weak laws over a decade.  

“Labor can’t hide from how dire the Youth Crime Crisis had become on their watch, this exposes how crime was exploding and youth offenders multiplying for a decade,” Minister Purdie said.  

“It will take time to turn the tide on a Youth Crime Crisis a decade in the making under Labor, but with Adult Crime, Adult Time, more police, early intervention and rehabilitation we can start to make the change Queensland needs.  

“There is a big challenge ahead to fix Labor’s Youth Crime Crisis, but the early police data suggests our stronger laws are beginning to deter youth crime. 

“These shocking numbers are exactly why we are expanding Adult Crime, Adult Time to start making Queensland safer, delivering exactly what we promised.” 

Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support Laura Gerber said the Crisafulli Government was delivering on its promise to put victims’ rights first.  

“The former Labor Government’s weak laws not only created a generation of untouchable youth criminals, but also created thousands more victims across Queensland,” Minister Gerber said.  

“The Crisafulli Government is committed to reducing victim numbers in Queensland and that is why we will continue to strengthen the laws and implement our programs that intervene early and effectively rehabilitate youths who are heading towards a life of crime.” 

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Lauren Brown 0415 772 677 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Full report available here.