logo
Queensland Police to review pursuit policy amid spate of car thefts

Queensland Police to review pursuit policy amid spate of car thefts

Queensland police are reviewing a no-pursuit policy the union says gives a green light to car thieves.
Despite the introduction of tougher "adult crime, adult time" penalties, the rate of car thefts remains stubbornly high in cities including Townsville in North Queensland, where a stolen car recently disrupted an Anzac Day service.
Police cannot pursue a driver unless there is an imminent threat to life, a driver has made threats to kill or has committed an indictable offence.
Police union president Shane Prior said the policy was clear but restrictive.
"Frontline police are frustrated with the current policy and the community finds it absurd," he said.
"It has effectively become a green light for criminals in Queensland to drive almost without consequence."
A Queensland police spokesperson said yesterday a review was underway.
Police Minister Dan Purdie said he had supported the policy until recently.
The former police officer's view changed with the introduction of tougher sentencing options.
"Now police are armed with tougher laws, we do want to give our police back the balance of power on the street, to hold those offenders to account, stop them in their tracks and put them before the court," he said.
He stressed policy matters were ultimately a matter for the police commissioner.
"When it is worth taking that urgent duty driving action, we want to make sure police have the backing of government," he said.
The current pursuit policy does not ban the pursuit of stolen vehicles, but says alternative options must be considered, including tyre-deflating devices and roadblocks.
Tighter rules were introduced in 2011 when coroner Michael Barnes made a series of recommendations after the death of 10 people involved in police pursuits between 2005 and 2008.
A police spokesperson said the QPS Safe Driving Policy was being reviewed.
"The QPS Safe Driving Policy is being reviewed to identify opportunities to enhance the safety of officers and the community, while still allowing pursuits in permissible circumstances," he said.
"QPS will work to apprehend those who evade interception, but pursuits will often not be the principal means of apprehension."
In Townsville, more than 400 car theft offences have been recorded since January 1, which is about 9 per cent higher than in the same period in 2024.
Local athlete Jake Doran is assessing the damage to his high-performance Kia Stinger, which was stolen on Thursday morning and spotted being driven erratically around the city.
It was found crashed later that night, with an extra 800 kilometres on the odometer.
"Obviously they've had their fun with it, both the inside and outside have been ruined ... they've obviously crashed it and ditched it," he said.
"Stop the cars before they actually clock hundreds of kilometres on Townsville roads at high speeds."

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Two bodies found at Sydney Northern Beaches granny flat
Two bodies found at Sydney Northern Beaches granny flat

News.com.au

timean hour ago

  • News.com.au

Two bodies found at Sydney Northern Beaches granny flat

Two bodies have been found in a granny flat on a property in Sydney's Northern Beaches. Officers found two bodies inside the home when they searched the property on Cannons Parade in Forestville on Wednesday evening. A police spokeswoman said a 'concern for welfare' was reported on Wednesday about 9.30pm. It has been reported neighbours raised the alarm after not seeing the home's occupants for several days, as per Today. A crime scene has been established at the property, with police yet to determine the circumstances of the deaths, the spokeswoman said. 'Officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command attended and found the bodies of two people located in a granny flat at the rear of the property,' they said. 'The bodies are yet to be formally identified.'

Woman to face court for allegedly stabbing mother and son in Lake Illawarra
Woman to face court for allegedly stabbing mother and son in Lake Illawarra

ABC News

timean hour ago

  • ABC News

Woman to face court for allegedly stabbing mother and son in Lake Illawarra

A woman will face court today charged over the alleged stabbing of a woman and child in the New South Wales Illawarra region. Police allege a 27-year-old woman was driving with her two children, aged 10 and 3, along West Dapto Road at Wongawilli about 6pm yesterday when they were forced to stop by another vehicle. They will allege a woman known to the family then stabbed the mother and her 10-year-old son during an altercation. Both were treated at the scene for stab wounds, then flown to hospital in serious but stable conditions. The younger child was not injured, and a 59-year-old woman was arrested at a home in nearby Horsley soon after. She has been charged with two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and will appear at the Wollongong Local Court today. More to come.

Fire rips through Storage King facility at Burpengary, north of Brisbane
Fire rips through Storage King facility at Burpengary, north of Brisbane

7NEWS

timean hour ago

  • 7NEWS

Fire rips through Storage King facility at Burpengary, north of Brisbane

A fire destroyed a major storage facility on Wednesday night. The blaze began ripping through the Storage King on Old Gympie Rd at Burpengary, north of Brisbane, from about 6pm. It's unclear at this stage how many customers had goods stored within the facility. Toxic smoke plumed from the business, and prompted a warning to nearby residents. 'A large volume of smoke is affecting the surrounding area, including the Bruce Hwy,' Queensland Fire Department said. Two people who breathed in the smoke were treated by paramedics, and one person was hospitalised. Queensland Police issued a Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA), with major roadways impacted by the smoke. One passenger in a car driving past on a highway could be heard in footage of the incident, saying he could feel the heat of the fire from the car, and urging the driver not to stop. The PSPA exclusion zone encompassed New Settlement Rd, Pitt Rd, Bellini Rd, Twists Rd and Old Bay Rd. It has since been revoked. 'There is no ongoing threat to the public,' police said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store