FNQ Crime Updates

Welcome to the Crime Update Page

Crime is one of the biggest issues facing our community.

This page is dedicated to keeping you informed about what is being done to tackle crime, improve safety and support local families. I am committed to working closely with police, community groups and residents to ensure your concerns are heard and acted on.

Below is a clear snapshot of the actions underway to make our streets safer.

2026

Strengthening Police Powers to Protect Queensland Business Precincts

The Crisafulli Government has now formally introduced legislation to establish Designated Business and Community Precincts across Queensland, giving police stronger powers to move on and ban repeat offenders. Announced in Maryborough by Premier David Crisafulli and Minister Dan Purdie, the reforms also extend Jack’s Law wanding powers into these areas. The changes aim to protect small businesses, workers and families from antisocial behaviour and restore safety in key commercial precincts.

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Kuranda: Listening to Local Concerns and Taking Action

I want to clearly acknowledge the serious concerns raised by residents and businesses in Kuranda about crime and antisocial behaviour.

People deserve to feel safe in their homes, at work and when visiting our town. I understand the fear, frustration and anger many locals have been feeling, particularly following recent incidents.

Kuranda matters and improving safety in our community remains a priority. I am in regular contact with local police and community leaders, and this page will continue to provide updates on what is being done locally and across Queensland.

In response to community concerns, increased police patrols commenced on 23 December. These included high-visibility patrols from Mareeba Station and Highway Patrol, focused on daytime hours to support local businesses and visitors.

As a direct result of this increased enforcement, police made multiple arrests in the park area and disrupted alcohol-fuelled antisocial behaviour.

On 15 January, Queensland Police launched Operation Yankee Gentry, specifically targeting property crime and antisocial behaviour in Kuranda. In just one week, between 15 and 21 January, this operation resulted in:

• 15 arrests

• 19 charges laid

• 12 move-on directions issued

• The seizure and destruction of 93 litres of alcohol

These figures relate to this operation alone and demonstrate a strong, targeted police response.

On 21 November, the Cairns Liquor Accord was expanded to include Kuranda. This expansion introduced tighter restrictions on cask wine sales and reinforced mandatory identification checks.

Police and community leaders met on 14 January, including Elders, Ngoonbi, the Justice Group and Council representatives. One of the key outcomes was progress toward establishing an after-hours youth hub and increasing the presence of support services in Kuranda.

Following this meeting, PCYC commenced its Club and Culture Program on 21 January. This program focuses on improving school attendance, literacy, resilience and positive community connection, recognising the importance of early intervention in preventing crime.

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2025

Making Queensland Safer

Soon after coming to government, we launched Making Queensland Safer as our core law-and-order agenda. This approach is about restoring consequences for serious crime, backing police and putting community safety first.

A key part of this agenda is Adult Crime, Adult Time, ensuring serious offenders face serious penalties.

Read more: 

• Crime Update: Fewer Victims of Crime as Adult Crime, Adult Time Delivers Results
• Speech: Adult Crime Adult Time Second Tranche
• Adult Crime, Adult Time expands to 33 offences 

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Stronger Youth Justice Laws

We have strengthened youth justice laws to ensure serious crimes are treated with the seriousness they deserve. These reforms expand adult sentencing to a wider range of serious offences and send a clear message that violent and repeat offending will not be tolerated.

The laws are in place. It’s now up to the magistrates to deliver.

Read More:

• Speech: Youth Justice (Monitoring Devices) Amendment Bill 2025
• GPS Tracking: Stronger Youth Bail Monitoring Laws

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More Police on the Ground

We are delivering more police, better equipment and stronger frontline capability across Queensland. This includes new recruits, upgraded stations and modern tools that allow police to respond faster and more effectively.

High-visibility policing is now permanently funded to maintain a strong presence in crime hotspots, shopping centres and local precincts. In just the first 200 days of the Crisafulli Government, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) has welcomed 240 new officers to the front lines. That’s a net increase of one officer per day—a result that marks a sharp turnaround from previous years.

In July 125 more officers were deployed to more than 60 stations across the state, and Cairns is among the key regions benefiting from this investment. This includes 15 new recruits to Cairns.

Read More:

• 15 New Police Officers Join the Frontline in Cairns as Part of Statewide Boost
• One Officer a Day: Crisafulli Government Delivers 240 New Frontline Police in 200 Days

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Expanded POLAIR Operations

Aerial policing has been expanded in Far North Queensland, giving police another powerful tool to track offenders, respond quickly and deter crime across large and remote areas.

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Specialist Crime Units Locked In

Specialist police units targeting serious and youth crime have been made permanent. This includes rapid-response teams that can be deployed quickly when crime spikes or hotspots emerge.

The State Flying Squad has been deployed 18 times in the Far North over the past year. This has resulted in 753 people charged with more than 2,000 offences including 435 young people charged with 1,141 offences.

Read more: 

• Crisafulli Government’s new State Flying Squad arrests 288 people during landmark operations 
• New flying squad the largest rapid response unit in Queensland Police history
• State’s Largest Police Crime Crackdown Targets Cairns and Townsville

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Daniel’s Law: Protecting Children

Daniel’s Law established Queensland’s first public child sex offender register, giving families greater access to information and strengthening community protection.

Read more:

• Speech: Community Protection and Public Child Sex Offender Register (Bill) 2025 and Daniel’s Law

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Jack’s Law: Taking Weapons Off Our Streets

Jack’s Law gives police expanded powers to detect and remove weapons in public places. These powers are now permanent and broader, allowing police to act quickly to prevent serious harm.

Since Jack’s Law became permanent:

• 6,522 people have been scanned in Far North Queensland

• 61 weapons have been seized from our streets

Read more: 

• Major Development for Jack’s Law

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GPS Monitoring for Youth Offenders

Stronger bail monitoring laws are now in place, including expanded use of electronic monitoring. This helps reduce reoffending and gives police better oversight of high-risk offenders.

Recently I attended a public hearing in Cairns and met with several locals who shared their thoughts on this bill. I thank you to everyone who attended this hearing.

Read more:

• GPS Tracking: Stronger Youth Bail Monitoring Laws

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Regional Reset Program

The Regional Reset program is operating in key locations, including Cairns. It focuses on early intervention through short residential programs that provide structure, support and life skills before offending escalates.  The $50 million Regional Reset program is being delivered across nine locations throughout Queensland, forming part of a broader strategy to reduce youth crime by pairing stronger laws and tougher policing with meaningful early intervention and rehabilitation.

Read more:

• New Intensive Early Intervention Program to Restore Safety in Far North Queensland

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Kickstarter Grants

 New early intervention programs in the Cairns region received “Kickstarter” funding to divert youth away from crime. This includes the BUSY Group’s BUSY GRIT program for girls aged 14-17 as well as programs run by:

• Aspire Cairns Community Limited – Learn, Lead, Play and Thrive

• Bori Muy LTD – Connecting The Dots Youth Program

• Desert Pea Association Inc – CROSSROADS: Kuranda

• Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation – On Country Cultural Workshops

• Prosocial Skills Development – Mastering Me

• Australian Training Works – The Rebuild Project

Read more:

• Six Cairns Community Organisations Receive Kickstarter Funding
• Kickstarting Early Intervention in Cairns to Keep Girls Out of Crime

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Youth Foyer in Cairns

 A new youth foyer is planned for Cairns to assist at-risk youth with housing and education. This exciting development will deliver 40 units of self-contained accommodation, giving young people not just a safe place to live, but also the wraparound support they need to pursue education, training and employment.

Read more:

• Cairns Youth Foyer Breaks Ground

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Staying on Track After Detention

For young people leaving detention, the Staying on Track program provides ongoing mentoring and rehabilitation support. The focus is on stability, accountability and preventing a return to crime.

Several Cairns organisations are part of this rollout including:

• Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation: Focuses on community-based, culturally appropriate support.
• Namu Collective Pty Ltd: Provides individualized, practical mentoring and, rehabilitation.
• Shine for Kids: Works with children and families, often focusing on supporting those with parents in the justice system.

Read More:

• Staying on Track Youth Rehabilitation Program to Help Restore Safety in Far North Queensland

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Stronger Domestic and Family Violence Laws

Recent reforms give police more immediate powers to protect victims of domestic and family violence. Courts now have stronger tools to keep victims safe and reduce trauma during legal processes.

Read more:

• Landmark Domestic and Family Violence Reform Passes Through Parliament
• SPEECH: Domestic and Family Violence Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
• Landmark Domestic and Family Violence Reforms Offer New Hope for Local Communities

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Local Liquor Accords Making a Difference

Local liquor accords bring together police, venues and community groups to reduce alcohol-related harm. Practical measures, such as restrictions on cheap alcohol sales, are already helping curb antisocial behaviour.

The Cairns Liquor Accord has now been expanded to include the Northern Beaches and Kuranda, bringing local venues, police and community groups together to reduce alcohol-related harm. This expansion introduces practical measures, such as restrictions on the sale of cheap cask wine before 4 pm and reinforced ID checks, helping to curb antisocial behaviour and improve safety in public spaces. By working collaboratively, the Accord supports businesses while ensuring our streets, parks and town centres remain safer for residents and visitors alike.

Read more:

• Liquor Accord Delivers for Cairns Region

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Tackling Antisocial Behaviour Through Collaboration

I have convened and participated in roundtables with police, schools, educators, shopping centre managers and Ministers to directly address antisocial behaviour. This collaborative approach will continue.

I have been actively working with key organisations and speaking with Ministers about the issues in the Northern Beaches, Kuranda, Redlynch and Smithfield. I will be hosting a crime forum in 2026 and meet with Matt Smith, MP alongside QPS representatives on a monthly basis.

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Investing in Local Police Infrastructure

A major upgrade to the Edmonton Police Station has been secured, providing modern facilities and better support for frontline officers. This investment strengthens response times and regional policing capacity.