Queensland Police Report Rates Youth Crime Sentiment at 2.1 Out of 10

An internal Queensland police report assigned an overall youth crime sentiment score of 2.1 out of 10, described as extremely negative. The one-page February 2026 document reviewed comments responding to media coverage and found 90 per cent of comments leaned negative.

Primary drivers listed include new law announcements, localised crime coverage, high-profile political posts, and media coverage around enforcement or rehabilitation.

The report identified Townsville as the reference point for the statewide collapse in sentiment. The far north combined crime fear with political resentment, described as making the situation more volatile. In the south-east, negative sentiment in Logan was described as less explosive but deeply entrenched. The Gold Coast was characterised as primed for escalation with a major incident.

The government has advanced a circuit-breaker sentencing program and presented police data showing victim numbers, robberies, unlawful entry, and vehicle thefts fell by 9.6, 19.5, 5, and 17.2 per cent respectively when comparing the 2025-26 financial year to 2023-24.

The opposition accused the government of cherry-picking data and called for an independent crime data agency. A youth advocacy centre chief executive stated the 193 per cent victim increase figure covers all crime types and is driven mainly by domestic and family violence.

A police spokesperson said the agency monitors community sentiment through public sources to stay informed and confirmed the report was prepared to provide anecdotal insights. The spokesperson added that the information reflects commentary and should not be considered verified data or an official measure of crime trends.