April 2, 2025
The number of youths charged with stealing cars tripled between 2014 and 2024, according to statistics highlighted by the State Government.
The latest Crime Report Queensland was released this week by the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office (see link to full report, below).
The data revealed the most common age of an offender in Queensland was 15 years old, with 12,268 15-year-olds charged during the past financial year.
The number of juveniles charged with stealing cars rose from 2155 in 2014 to more than 7000 in 2024, while the number of young offenders charged with break-ins rose from 5138 to 9658.
Police Minister Dan Purdie said the statistics were why the State Government was expanding its “Adult Crime, Adult Time” legislation.
The Making Queensland Safer (Adult Crime, Adult Time) Amendment Bill 2025 has added 20 offences, including attempted murder, rape, attempted rape, torture, aggravated attempted robbery, drug trafficking and endangering a police officer when driving a motor vehicle.
The original Act targeted 13 offences, including murder, manslaughter, unlawful striking causing death, grievous bodily harm, wounding, serious assault, home and business break-ins and robbery, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
External links:
- 2023-24 Crime Report Qld (6.1Mb PDF)
- Queensland Crime Statistics (QPS website)
