The state that has become the crime capital of Australia

Queensland is now the crime capital of Australia, according to a new study showing a significant increase in violent crime caused by young offenders.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed on Thursday that 289,657 Queenslanders had been victims of crime in 2023, with more assaults and home burglaries than any other state.

Due to an increase in the number of assaults, assaults, kidnappings, robberies, blackmail, burglaries and thefts, the total number of victims increased by 13 percent compared to the previous year.

It also made the state’s residents most likely to experience robberies, burglaries and car thefts, most of which were committed by juvenile delinquents.

The shocking statistics come as Queensland faces a youth crime crisis highlighted by a report published by the state Auditor-General.

The report found that 55 per cent of all youth crime in the state between 2022 and 2023 was committed by ‘serious repeat offenders’.

It was also reported that the average daily number of serious repeat offenders increased by 64 percent, from 278 in 2018-2019 to 457 in 2022-2023.

The grim statistics prompted Miles’ government to unveil a new four-year juvenile justice strategy on Friday and appoint the state’s first Victims Commissioner.

ABS statistics show that of the almost 50,000 burglaries recorded, more than 34,000 occurred at the victim’s home, with more than half resulting in stolen property.

A further 151,501 people experienced shoplifting or theft from someone else, an increase of 25,107 from 2022 – making it the highest level ever.

The 18,201 car theft victims were also the highest in the state since 2000.

Despite only being recorded since 2022, the number of victims of assault has also increased by more than 6,000 in just one year.

The statistics also show that around 30,000 more people have been affected by crime in Queensland than in second-place state NSW, despite having around 3 million fewer residents.

These figures also show that approximately 5.2 percent of all Queenslanders have been victims of crime, the third highest rate in the country.

Western Australia – with about 2.6 million fewer people – had a slightly higher rate at about 5.4 percent, while the Northern Territory is at about 7.8 percent – ​​19,782 victims among 253,634 residents.

The day after the statistics were released, the Miles government announced that Rebecca O’Connor, CEO of DVConnect and Victim Connect, would be appointed as the state’s first Victims Commissioner.

An increase in sexual assaults, sexual assaults, robberies, blackmail, burglaries and thefts saw the total number of victims rise 13 percent compared to last year, to just under 300,000 (photo, file image)

Establishing her office cost the government $18 million, with another $2.97 million given to “support the functions of the Victims Commissioner.”

“The independent Victims Commissioner will conduct systematic reviews and, importantly, will consult with victims of crime on matters that affect them,” Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said.

“Ms. O’Connor will make recommendations and advice to the Attorney General on these areas of responsibility and monitor the implementation of those recommendations.”

Just hours later, the Youth Justice Strategy for 2024-2028 was announced by the Minister for Education and Youth Justice, Di Farmer.

The plan aims to “address the root causes of crime and support community safety.”

“The Intensive Bail Initiative, the expansion of electronic monitoring and other changes to the Youth Justice Act will ensure that serious repeat offenders are held accountable for their actions,” Ms Farmer said in a statement.