Cop laments kids roaming Queensland streets

Mr Taylor said he had consoled a number of parents grieving for children who had died as a result of dangerous driving.

“But what I am asking people to do, if you are a guardian of a young person, show the love before the tragedy, take an interest in where your kid is and make sure they are at home.

“You know, it is an evolving world, these things did not happen a long time ago when I was a kid, these kids get more and more brazen.

“There is a general lack of guardianship, I am not making excuses for these kids but some of these kids come from horrific backgrounds.”

Mr Taylor said all agencies needed to “take a better interest in the nurturing of our young people”.

Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard said the state government “intensively” engaged with the families of youth offenders.

“A large amount of money is being spent on intensive family interventions.”

Mr Taylor’s comments come after a pregnant Brisbane couple was killed by an allegedly intoxicated 17-year-old driver last weekend and a Townsville joyride led to two officers being injured.

Labor has been criticised over its handling of youth crime in north Queensland, which became a central issue at the October state election.

Political parties and police have put forward potential solutions.

Labor last year abandoned its “failed” youth bail houses three years after they were launched and after $30.8 million of taxpayers’ money was funnelled into their operation.

Katter’s Australian Party has pushed for relocation sentencing, which would “banish young offenders from the community to be sent to a remote location to work on the land and learn life skills”.

The LNP has twice taken youth curfew policies to elections.

In 2018, Mount Isa police launched a controversial operation to photograph children on the street in a bid to identify juveniles at risk of offending.

Ms Linard said criminals targeting police was “absolutely appalling” but mandatory sentencing for young people probably would not help.

“I think most people would appreciate you can not lock someone up forever.

“But we’ll listen to all suggestions. We will always look to reform the system, we are always listening.”

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll admitted she was “frustrated” by the number of young people being released.

“I wish more were put in custody and remain in custody, because we are finding that very difficult at the moment,” she said.