It will be up to young people charged with certain offences to argue in court why they should be released,under a presumption against bail.Credit:Toby Crockford
Police Minister Mark Ryan has argued the crackdown on juvenile crime,which would target “hardcore repeat offenders”,was necessary as young offenders needed to learn the consequences of their actions.
“This is about targeting the hardcore repeat offenders,” he said earlier this year.
“...We must stop young hardcore offenders being let out on bail and reoffending the next day.
“Ten per cent of all youth offenders account for 48 per cent of all youth crime. It is this group we will target with all the force and resources at our disposal.”
Data shows out of 344 youth who make up the top 10 per cent of young offenders,two are aged just 11. There were six 12-year-old offenders and 26 who were 13.
Queensland Police Service Deputy Commissioner Doug Smith told a parliamentary committee the number of unique young offenders coming to the attention of police had decreased by 35 per cent between 2010 and 2020,while at the same time offences increased by 6 per cent.
Mr Smith said the majority of young offenders were diverted from the youth justice system,and never came to the attention of police again.