Gold Coast and Logan Police impound more than 5 vehicles a week for hooning
Published Monday, 13 October, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Gold Coast and Logan Police are impounding the vehicles of reckless hoons at a rate of more than 5 cars a week.
Police Minister Judy Spence said these excellent results show the government’s tough vehicle confiscation laws are taking dangerous drivers off Queensland roads.
“In the past nine months (to September 30), police in the South East Region comprising Logan and the Gold Coast have impounded 221 cars for hooning offences.
“A further 697 vehicles have been impounded in this region since December last year, for repeat offences such as driving unlicenced or unregistered.
“Just this weekend, four cars were confiscated at Logan and on the Gold Coast during police operations targeting hoons and other dangerous drivers.
“Police impounded the vehicles of three people at Meadowbank, after they were caught creating undue noise and smoke.
“One vehicle was also seized for 48 hours on the Gold Coast, due to illegal modifications.
“Police 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.
“Those who have lost their vehicles are clearly getting the message. Since 2002, only 16 offenders in the Gold Coast and Logan Districts have been detected committing a second hooning offence.”
Ms Spence said residents wanting to report hooning activity should simply ring the police with the details.
“I am concerned that a form being promoted by an anti-hooning group may be adding an unnecessary layer of process in getting information quickly to police,” Ms Spence said.
“This idea of having a form could actually be counter-productive.
“In cases where people do not have the form or know how to get one, it could very easily lead to information not being reported.
“There is no need for these forms. They are not necessary.
“The most effective action that residents can take when they witness hooning activity is to pick up the phone and call the police – providing as much information as they can.
“The simplest system is the most efficient one. While the idea of having a form might be well-intentioned, it is just going to make the reporting of information more complicated, and unnecessarily so,” Ms Spence said.
Assistant Commissioner Paul Wilson, who is responsible for the Gold Coast and Logan, said that contrary to media reports, the forms were not available from police stations.
“The Queensland Police Service already has an effective system in place for reporting and investigating hooning offences,” Assistant Commissioner Wilson said.
“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 calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
Media Contact: 3239 6218
Police Minister Judy Spence said these excellent results show the government’s tough vehicle confiscation laws are taking dangerous drivers off Queensland roads.
“In the past nine months (to September 30), police in the South East Region comprising Logan and the Gold Coast have impounded 221 cars for hooning offences.
“A further 697 vehicles have been impounded in this region since December last year, for repeat offences such as driving unlicenced or unregistered.
“Just this weekend, four cars were confiscated at Logan and on the Gold Coast during police operations targeting hoons and other dangerous drivers.
“Police impounded the vehicles of three people at Meadowbank, after they were caught creating undue noise and smoke.
“One vehicle was also seized for 48 hours on the Gold Coast, due to illegal modifications.
“Police 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.
“Those who have lost their vehicles are clearly getting the message. Since 2002, only 16 offenders in the Gold Coast and Logan Districts have been detected committing a second hooning offence.”
Ms Spence said residents wanting to report hooning activity should simply ring the police with the details.
“I am concerned that a form being promoted by an anti-hooning group may be adding an unnecessary layer of process in getting information quickly to police,” Ms Spence said.
“This idea of having a form could actually be counter-productive.
“In cases where people do not have the form or know how to get one, it could very easily lead to information not being reported.
“There is no need for these forms. They are not necessary.
“The most effective action that residents can take when they witness hooning activity is to pick up the phone and call the police – providing as much information as they can.
“The simplest system is the most efficient one. While the idea of having a form might be well-intentioned, it is just going to make the reporting of information more complicated, and unnecessarily so,” Ms Spence said.
Assistant Commissioner Paul Wilson, who is responsible for the Gold Coast and Logan, said that contrary to media reports, the forms were not available from police stations.
“The Queensland Police Service already has an effective system in place for reporting and investigating hooning offences,” Assistant Commissioner Wilson said.
“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 calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
Media Contact: 3239 6218