Cairns police chase down teenagers who allegedly stole two cars at Mareeba. Photo: Queensland Police.
A Far North Queensland MP has warned frustration among police is mounting and unlawful public vigilante action appears increasingly likely as young offenders continue to “terrorise” the streets of his electorate.
Cook MP David Kempton believes Queensland Police are hampered by restrictive pursuit policies and the courts have been too lenient, particularly when dealing with repeat offenders.
Mr Kempton posted a video to his Facebook page on Saturday (11 April) of a Mitsubishi ASX, alleged to be stolen, being driven recklessly at the intersection of Rankin and Byrnes streets at Mareeba the previous night, with a police car standing by.
The driver of the SUV repeatedly attempts to do burnouts at the intersection, tyres squealing, before speeding off.
“Let’s be really clear that this is totally unacceptable and we need to crack down heavily on anyone who thinks they are above the law and can continue to terrorise our community,” Mr Kempton said.
Cook MP David Kempton. Photo: Supplied.
He said offenders were “taunting the police and trying to get them to pursue them”.
Police have since charged four teenagers aged between 13 and 15. It’s alleged the group stole the Mitsubishi from a Jackson Dr address and a Nissan X-Trail from a Whiting St address.
Mr Kempton planned to call a public meeting and he urged the public to get in touch with suggestions.
The Crisafulli Government has put in place tougher ‘adult crime, adult time’ laws for 33 offences, including unlawful use or possession of motor vehicles and dangerous operation of vehicles.
Children who commit the serious offences are now subject to the same maximum penalties as adult offenders.
However, police are unable to chase down a car unless the driver has committed an indictable offence, threatened to kill or there is an imminent threat to life.
The policies are designed to prevent injuries and deaths of offenders and the public resulting from pursuits.
Mr Kempton said police officers had approached him behind the scenes to express their frustration.
“Look, I had a number of calls over the weekends from serving police officers and I spoke to the district inspector this morning and these are the concerns coming to me from them. They’re not just something I’ve observed,” he said.
Queensland Police has been approached for comment.
“There’s a lot of frustration … that they are not allowed to pursue these young people in these stolen cars and they just taunt them knowing they can’t pursue them,” Mr Kempton added.
A teenager is locked up in a Queensland Police vehicle. Photo: QPS.
“More importantly is they go to all the trouble of arresting them and they’re back on the streets again and then they continue to breach bail and there’s no consequences for that either.
“The laws are there, the police are there and the magistrates simply need to start following what the community expects of them and what they’re paid for.”
Magistrates and judges must consider many factors when sentencing offenders, including personal circumstances, criminal history, aggravating factors such as violence, whether a guilty plea was entered and how early, despite the ‘adult crime, adult time’ changes.
Mr Kempton said he was increasingly concerned about a potential “Castle Law” situation developing and a homeowner using deadly force against an intruder.
Anyone fighting off home invaders can only legally use “reasonable” force to defend themselves, or they risk finding themselves behind bars.
“I’m concerned that it’s getting to a point now in terms of the occurrence and the severity of what these young people are doing that people will start taking the law into their own hands, and what that will result in is that they’ll start targeting older and weaker people and not people who are able to defend themselves,” Mr Kempton said.
“So this is a massive community issue that we need to address and we need to beef up what we’re doing to make sure that everything’s working.”
Police data shows 4625 unlawful entry and 1355 unlawful use of a motor vehicle offences in the Far North between 14 April last year and 13 April this year.
Mr Kempton urged the public to lock up homes and keys and to install alarm systems.
Original Article published by Luke Mortimer on Region Tropical North Queensland.
