KAP Leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter has made formal calls for the state’s Police and Youth Justice Ministers to personally visit and stay a few days in Mount Isa, where a group of up to 20 juvenile offenders is stealing an average two cars per week.

Residents remain under attack as criminals rack up 62 vehicle thefts from homes, businesses and caravan parks this year alone. Per capita, residents are six times more likely to have their car stolen in Mount Isa than they are in North Brisbane.

“These figures are unbearable and are yet another symptom of the youth crime crisis that the Palaszczuk Government has concocted over the past seven years,” Mr Katter said.

“I’m calling on Police Minister Mark Ryan and Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard to urgently visit Mount Isa to explain to the fed-up community why people should have any faith in the Government’s ‘strong’ bail laws and youth justice system.

“The ministers need to hear the full story from the average person on the street, not just their own government officers.”

Mr Katter used the ripe opportunity once again to demand a trial of the KAP’s Relocation Sentencing model, which would get offenders from the streets, away from the overcrowded detention system, and relocate them to a remote facility.

Local police told media that while the police always had a role to investigate and respond to crime, prevention was always a better solution.

“Enough is enough and we can no longer be just reactive to this spiralling crime wave – we must be proactive,” Mr Katter said.

“Communities are no longer swallowing the State Government’s weak line that Relocation Sentencing is not the answer and are no longer willing to settle for anything less than action.

“These kids need to be removed and locked up until they’re fit to return to society. Failure to do so is not only a disservice to them, but to our innocent, law-abiding citizens.”

20220719 RK media release – CRIME MINISTERS MUST FACE CAR THEFT HOTSPOT – KATTER