Worst year on record for Cairns stolen cars

QUEENSLAND’S crime crisis is breaking unwanted records, as pressure grows on the government to recall Parliament early to address the unfolding epidemic.

The latest police statistics have revealed December 2022 was the worst December on record for stolen cars, across Queensland.

2,133 cars were stolen last December, a rise of nearly 50 per cent on the previous 12 months.

The situation is even more concerning in Cairns, as the region recorded its worst year on record for stolen cars with 1,410 recorded offences.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli said the State Government’s watered-down laws had raised a generation of young criminals running rife across Queensland.

“Queenslanders everywhere are paying a high price for the State Government’s soft laws because we’re now seeing the cost of car insurance jump in line with the number of cars stolen across our communities,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“This is a failure of leadership and legislation, and Queenslanders want change.”

Shadow Police Minister Dale Last said Queenslanders deserve better.

“Queensland is in the midst of a crime epidemic and after watering down the laws the Palaszczuk Government is now in denial about how serious it is,” Mr Last said.

“All Queenslanders deserve to feel safe in their own homes.

“It’s the same kids committing the same crimes in the same areas and Queenslanders, including our hard-working police officers, are fed up.”