Police have commended a Kalinga resident for their excellent home security measures and swift action in contacting the authorities following an attempted break-in.
Read: Police Urge Wavell Heights Community To Secure Cars, Homes Due To Thefts
In the early hours of Wednesday, 12 April 2023, two boys were allegedly caught attempting to break into a residence on Emma Street, Kalinga. According to police reports, the boys had opened the closed side gate of the house before trying to force open the locked front door.
Fortunately, the homeowner had excellent home security measures in place, including CCTV cameras, and was able to quickly notify the police.
As a result, officers were able to locate and apprehend the suspects, who were found to be carrying gloves, masks, and balaclavas.
Sgt Jodie Murray praised the actions of the Kalinga resident, noting that their quick response and the installation of security measures were crucial in catching the would-be burglars.
“A 14-year-old boy from Wavell Heights and a 15-year-old boy from Nundah, were dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act,” said Sgt Murray.
Youth Crime Laws
The Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that there were 45,210 offenders aged between 10 and 17 years proceeded against by police from 2021-2022, which was a 2 per cent increase from the previous year.
In response to the alarming rise in youth crime rates, the Queensland Parliament has passed new legislation aimed at cracking down on young offenders.
The tough new laws dictate that any young offender who violates their bail conditions will be charged with an offence, and the Youth Justice Act will be amended to allow for a declaration of ‘serious repeat offenders.’
This declaration will enable stricter sentencing principles to be applied to these offenders. Furthermore, young people who are involved in criminal activities such as being a passenger in stolen vehicles, burglary, or attempting to commit an indictable offence will now face a presumption against bail.
Read: Upbeat Arts Promotes Mental Health With Brand New Choir in Wavell Heights
The introduction of these measures is an attempt to address the issue of youth crime in the state and act as a deterrent to those who may consider committing offences.
Published 21-April-2023
