Queensland Police to review pursuit policy amid spate of car thefts

Australia Broadcast Center

10-05-2025

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."