Gold Coast police catching more hoons than anywhere in Queensland
Published Tuesday, 30 September, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Police Minister Judy Spence said Gold Coast Police have confiscated more hoon vehicles than any other police district in Queensland.
Ms Spence said: “Armed with this government’s tough anti-hooning legislation, police on the Gold Coast continue to seize the vehicles of hoons who are a menace on our streets.
“Since we introduced vehicle confiscation laws targeting street racing, time trials and burn outs in 2002, police on the Gold Coast have impounded 963 vehicles – more than any other district in Queensland.
“This year alone, police on the Gold Coast have confiscated 135 vehicles (January to September 2008), as a result of proactive strategies aimed at cracking down on hoons in known hot spots.
“These excellent results highlight the fact that Gold Coast police are proactively targeting hooning hotspots and are not hesitating in taking away the vehicles of these reckless offenders.
“The hoons who have lost their vehicles are clearly getting the message – since 2002, only 13 offenders in the Gold Coast District have been detected committing a second hooning offence.”
Assistant Commissioner Paul Wilson said the hooning statistics show that the police systems in place for the reporting and investigation of hooning offences are working.
“The Queensland Police Service has a number of highly effective and official police systems in place for reporting and investigating hooning offences.
“If a member of the public witnesses a hooning offence, the fastest and most effective way to deal with that offence is to contact their local police station or call CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.
“These reporting mechanisms, together with our proactive approach to the policing of hoon offences, are clearly working well.
“Police do not endorse any private person’s form to report crime and forms referred to in the media today are not being endorsed or distributed by Queensland Police.
“We will always continue to work with the community to investigate and crack down on hooning on the Gold Coast,” Assistant Commissioner Wilson said.
Ms Spence said: “The Bligh Government is committed to ensuring our police have the powers they need to crack down on dangerous drivers.
“That is why in addition to the Type 1 anti-hooning laws, we have introduced Type 2 vehicle confiscation legislation to crack down on people who repeatedly high-end drink drive, drive while unlicenced or disqualified, or drive unregistered, uninsured or illegally modified vehicles.
“Since we introduced these new laws on the Gold Coast last December, police have confiscated the vehicles of 245 repeat offenders for Type 2 offences.
“These laws are the toughest of their kind in Australia, demonstrating this government’s commitment to making our roads safer.
“We do not tolerate drivers who put the lives of other road users at risk – and this legislation ensures our police can take tough action against these offenders.”
Media Contact: 3239 6172
Ms Spence said: “Armed with this government’s tough anti-hooning legislation, police on the Gold Coast continue to seize the vehicles of hoons who are a menace on our streets.
“Since we introduced vehicle confiscation laws targeting street racing, time trials and burn outs in 2002, police on the Gold Coast have impounded 963 vehicles – more than any other district in Queensland.
“This year alone, police on the Gold Coast have confiscated 135 vehicles (January to September 2008), as a result of proactive strategies aimed at cracking down on hoons in known hot spots.
“These excellent results highlight the fact that Gold Coast police are proactively targeting hooning hotspots and are not hesitating in taking away the vehicles of these reckless offenders.
“The hoons who have lost their vehicles are clearly getting the message – since 2002, only 13 offenders in the Gold Coast District have been detected committing a second hooning offence.”
Assistant Commissioner Paul Wilson said the hooning statistics show that the police systems in place for the reporting and investigation of hooning offences are working.
“The Queensland Police Service has a number of highly effective and official police systems in place for reporting and investigating hooning offences.
“If a member of the public witnesses a hooning offence, the fastest and most effective way to deal with that offence is to contact their local police station or call CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.
“These reporting mechanisms, together with our proactive approach to the policing of hoon offences, are clearly working well.
“Police do not endorse any private person’s form to report crime and forms referred to in the media today are not being endorsed or distributed by Queensland Police.
“We will always continue to work with the community to investigate and crack down on hooning on the Gold Coast,” Assistant Commissioner Wilson said.
Ms Spence said: “The Bligh Government is committed to ensuring our police have the powers they need to crack down on dangerous drivers.
“That is why in addition to the Type 1 anti-hooning laws, we have introduced Type 2 vehicle confiscation legislation to crack down on people who repeatedly high-end drink drive, drive while unlicenced or disqualified, or drive unregistered, uninsured or illegally modified vehicles.
“Since we introduced these new laws on the Gold Coast last December, police have confiscated the vehicles of 245 repeat offenders for Type 2 offences.
“These laws are the toughest of their kind in Australia, demonstrating this government’s commitment to making our roads safer.
“We do not tolerate drivers who put the lives of other road users at risk – and this legislation ensures our police can take tough action against these offenders.”
Media Contact: 3239 6172