‘It’s heartbreaking’: Residents demand immediate action as crime skyrockets in this area
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In the quiet border town of Goondiwindi, a sense of unease has replaced the once-peaceful atmosphere.
The community, home to nearly 6,000 people, is grappling with a surge in youth crime that has left residents on edge and calling for urgent intervention.
‘I get home from work at night, and my eight-year-old wakes up terrified because she thinks someone's breaking in. It's heartbreaking,’ resident Marlana Bishop said.
In just one week, Goondiwindi has witnessed two violent break-ins, with homes vandalised and vehicles stolen.
An elderly woman was knocked down as thieves took her keys and car, and a teacher was brutally attacked with a baton and machetes while trying to defend himself.
The aftermath is a chilling sight: a collection of destroyed stolen vehicles and burnt-down houses, all attributed to teen criminals.
The proximity to the New South Wales border adds a layer of complexity to the issue. Once offenders cross into NSW, Queensland police have limited authority to pursue or apprehend the culprits.
This jurisdictional loophole has emboldened offenders and frustrated law enforcement efforts, leaving residents like Garry Roberts to lament, 'They've wrecked the town completely.'
The community's outcry reached a crescendo when 150 locals gathered in a park to share their harrowing experiences.
Among them was Graham Smith, who recounted a brutal home invasion where he was beaten with golf clubs.
‘One picked up a chair, like a big dining room chair and cracked that over me,’ he said.
'In the middle of it, I thought I was done, to be honest.’
Young mother Sarah Jane Morris shared a particularly heart-wrenching story of her miscarriage.
‘Due to having our car stolen and the stress of that, I miscarried,’ she said.
The residents are not only seeking justice but also preventative measures.
They urge the premiers of both Queensland and New South Wales to witness the devastation firsthand and to understand the urgency of their plight.
‘Come to this town, go for a drive down just over the border, go and see how many burnt cars there are,’ Bishop said.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles said he was ‘aware of escalating crime'.
‘I understand the police are responding. They've deployed additional police,’ he said.
You can watch 9 News Australia’s coverage below:
Credit: 9 News Australia / YouTube
Have you noticed an increase in crime in your area? What actions do you think should be taken to ensure the safety of our communities? Let us know in the comments below.
The community, home to nearly 6,000 people, is grappling with a surge in youth crime that has left residents on edge and calling for urgent intervention.
‘I get home from work at night, and my eight-year-old wakes up terrified because she thinks someone's breaking in. It's heartbreaking,’ resident Marlana Bishop said.
In just one week, Goondiwindi has witnessed two violent break-ins, with homes vandalised and vehicles stolen.
Residents of Goondiwindi are calling for immediate action as youth crimes skyrocket. Credit: 9 News Australia / YouTube
An elderly woman was knocked down as thieves took her keys and car, and a teacher was brutally attacked with a baton and machetes while trying to defend himself.
The aftermath is a chilling sight: a collection of destroyed stolen vehicles and burnt-down houses, all attributed to teen criminals.
The proximity to the New South Wales border adds a layer of complexity to the issue. Once offenders cross into NSW, Queensland police have limited authority to pursue or apprehend the culprits.
This jurisdictional loophole has emboldened offenders and frustrated law enforcement efforts, leaving residents like Garry Roberts to lament, 'They've wrecked the town completely.'
The community's outcry reached a crescendo when 150 locals gathered in a park to share their harrowing experiences.
Among them was Graham Smith, who recounted a brutal home invasion where he was beaten with golf clubs.
‘One picked up a chair, like a big dining room chair and cracked that over me,’ he said.
'In the middle of it, I thought I was done, to be honest.’
Young mother Sarah Jane Morris shared a particularly heart-wrenching story of her miscarriage.
‘Due to having our car stolen and the stress of that, I miscarried,’ she said.
The residents are not only seeking justice but also preventative measures.
They urge the premiers of both Queensland and New South Wales to witness the devastation firsthand and to understand the urgency of their plight.
‘Come to this town, go for a drive down just over the border, go and see how many burnt cars there are,’ Bishop said.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles said he was ‘aware of escalating crime'.
‘I understand the police are responding. They've deployed additional police,’ he said.
You can watch 9 News Australia’s coverage below:
Credit: 9 News Australia / YouTube
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