The new Queensland Government is Making Queensland Safer with more police and stronger laws combined with early intervention and rehabilitation programs for at-risk youth.
Already delivering a 7.2 per cent reduction in victim numbers* and with serious repeat offenders down 17 per cent**, the Government is breaking the cycle of crime. But there’s more to be done.
Under Adult Crime, Adult Time almost 4700 youth offenders have been charged with more than 22,800 offences. Youth bail monitoring laws are also stronger, improving safety where you live.
More than 1600 new police are restoring safety where you live.
Bolstered police capability includes an expanded POLAIR (police aerial operations) and the largest rapid response unit in Queensland’s history. The State Flying Squad is providing surge capacity straight into crime hotspots—moving fast to target and remove criminals from the street.
Crime hotspots are being targeted through locally led and centrally coordinated police operations. Operation Xray Steeler recently resulted in 1300 people charged with 4072 offences. Operation Forge is underway across the state delivering a highly visible six-month crackdown on break-ins, robberies and stolen cars.
Jack’s Law is keeping our streets safer, with police scanning for, detecting and removing weapons to combat knife crime.
The Government is also better protecting children by strengthening the blue card system and delivering Daniel’s Law—which provides access to vital information for parents, guardians and members of the community to help safeguard children.
More information is available at DanielsLaw.qld.gov.au
Significant investment in early intervention and rehabilitation programs is breaking the cycle of crime by helping at-risk youth re-engage with education and their communities.
More than 1600 police are restoring safety where you live
Frontline policing rebuilt with 1,600 additional police
Frontline policing is being rebuilt with more than 1600 new police recruits as part of the plan to make Queensland safer.
Following the March graduation of 61 police officers from the Queensland Police Academy in Oxley, a total of 1625 new police recruits have been delivered in less than 18 months.
These officers are ready to support their communities with integrity, respect and courage in communities across the State, including Brisbane, Cairns, Mount Isa, Townsville, Mackay, the Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay and the Gold Coast.
A career with the Queensland Police Service (QPS) offers diverse roles, unique challenges and the chance to make a real difference every day.
From emergency response and crime prevention to community engagement and public safety, no two days are ever the same.
Gold Coast volunteer Surf Lifesaver, Constable Sophie Christie, deployed to the South Brisbane District, said she felt it was an obvious career move to go from the boat to the beat.
“I wanted to continue to help people and I wanted my work to have a meaningful impact to Queensland,” Constable Christie said.
“Policing ticked all of those boxes for me; I just can’t wait to get out there and make a difference in people’s lives.”
Former school chaplain Noah Langley, now stationed at Tully Police Station, is part of the growing local capability in the Far North.
“It’s my people, it’s my home. I couldn’t imagine serving any other place than Queensland,” he said.
Constable Chyenne Koki-Collier joined the service to help others.
“The people who have helped me along the way in my life really motivated me to try and help others,” she said.
For more information visit policerecruit.qld.gov.au
Operation Forge restoring safety where you live
A six-month locally led and centrally coordinated operation targeting break-ins, robberies and stolen cars is underway across the state.
Operation Forge combines specialist personnel from POLAIR (Police Aerial Operations), the State Flying Squad, Youth Co-Responder and Public Safety Response Safety Team with local police.
In the first six weeks, more than 2000 offenders have been charged with over 5000 offences.
QPS Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations, John Tims, said communities would see more highly visible proactive patrols to reduce crime.
“Bolstered by coordinated investigations and shared intelligence, the operation will target prolific, high harm repeat offenders,” he said.
“Responses will be tailored for local issues and have the flexibility to strategically shift gears to target high-crime and high-harm locations.”
Officer in Charge of POLAIR Senior Sergeant Tony Lawliss said the extension of POLAIR’s aerial crime-fighting capability in Cairns and the expansion of that capability on the Sunshine Coast to include the Moreton Bay region had bolstered their ability to support on-ground crews in responding to emergencies.
“Our highly trained crews can respond to incidents faster now that they’ve been strategically positioned out of more regional bases across Queensland,” he said.
Recommended by the Queensland Government’s Expert Legal Panel, the new laws deliver strengthened youth crime laws and put the rights of victims first
Flying Squad delivers safer streets for Queenslanders
Built to quickly target and remove dangerous criminals from the streets, the State Flying Squad has clocked up more than 140 deployments to make Queensland safer since its launch in January 2025.
The largest police rapid response unit in Queensland’s history is restoring safety where you live, so far arresting 2372 offenders, including 1318 youths, on 7249 charges.
The unit has been deployed to fight crime in locations including the Far North, Townsville and Darling Downs districts.
Senior Constable Samuel Wendt, an officer with the State Flying Squad says their work strengthens existing police activities by providing surge capacity into local crime hotspots.
“We enhance their ability to conduct operations by boosting their numbers on the frontlines, which increases community safety,” he said.
“Recently, we have been regularly deployed to assist with operations that aim to reduce property crime in Northern and Far Northern Queensland, which resulted in reduced numbers of victims of crime.”
Jack’s Law makes impact across the state
Jack’s Law is helping make Queensland safer by enabling police to use handheld metal detectors to find knives and other weapons without a warrant.
Since the laws were made permanent and expanded statewide in July last year, more than 127,000 scans have been carried out, leading to 1947 arrests and 3773 charges.
Brett and Belinda Beasley lost their 17-year-old son, Jack, in December 2019 at Surfers Paradise when he was fatally stabbed during a night out with friends.
Today, they are proud to see Jack’s legacy drive real change, with every wanding operation helping police remove weapons from the streets.
“We don’t want any other family to go through what we’ve been through,” Mr Beasley said.
Adult Crime, Adult Time expands
Protecting communities, reducing reoffending and holding young offenders to account, underpins ongoing efforts to strengthen youth crime laws. New legislation passed in State Parliament expands Adult Crime, Adult Time to include 12 additional offences, such as aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm, further bolstering efforts to make Queensland safer.
So far, almost 4700 youth offenders have been charged with more than 22,800 Adult Crime, Adult Time offences, contributing to a 7.2 per cent year on year drop in crime victims.
Recommended by the Queensland Government’s Expert Legal Panel, these laws aim to deliver tougher measures on youth crime to protect the community.
The decisive reforms, along with early intervention and rehabilitation programs, send a clear message that youth offenders will face serious consequences for their actions.
Daniel’s Law: Turning a legacy into safer communities for Queensland’s children
Daniel’s Law is one of the most significant reforms to child safety legislation in Queensland’s history and is a major milestone in restoring safety where you live.
With more than 290,000 visits to the Daniel’s Law website since 31 December 2025, the State’s first public sex offender register provides parents an extra tool to keep their families safe.
The online register provides eligible members of the Queensland community access to information about convicted sex offenders who are on Queensland’s Child Protection Register , helping communities stay alert and informed.
The register honours the legacy of Sunshine Coast schoolboy Daniel Morcombe, whose abduction and murder in 2003 inspired two decades of advocacy for stronger child protection laws.
“It has been more than 20 years since Daniel was taken from us, and every single day since, we’ve fought to make sure no other family goes through what we did,” parents Bruce and Denise Morcombe shared.
“Daniel’s Law is about protecting kids, empowering parents, and shining a light on those who lurk in the dark.”
QPS Detective Acting Chief Superintendent Denzil Clark said Daniel’s Law will help families better understand local risks and take informed precautions.
“Daniel’s Law provides parents, guardians and the broader community with access to information that helps safeguard children,” he said.
Visit DanielsLaw.qld.gov.au
A six-month operation is targeting break-ins, robberies and stolen cars across the state
Breaking the Cycle: Early intervention to prevent reoffending and Make Queensland Safer
The new Queensland Government is delivering targeted early intervention programs that support at-risk young people, increase accountability and reduce reoffending.
The Regional Reset program intervenes when young people start to disengage or show signs of antisocial behaviour. It combines mentoring, outdoor challenges and cultural learning to build skills and confidence to make safer choices and avoid trouble.
When a young person leaves detention, the Staying on Track program steps in immediately with six months of intensive support to reduce the risk of reoffending. The program connects youths with mentoring, family support and practical life skills training to build routines and stay on a positive path.
The Government is also strengthening local crime prevention by backing community-led projects through Kickstarter Grants and expanding school-based support—opening four new Crime Prevention Schools and two Youth Justice Schools.
To ensure the longevity of early intervention and youth justice programs, the Queensland Government is investing $560 million in early intervention and youth justice programs, including $225 million over five years to deliver Staying on Track.
In South East Queensland, the Isurava Program, part of the Regional Reset initiative, is helping young people turn their lives around.
Angie Debnam, CEO of the Kokoda Youth Foundation, says taking young people out of their usual environment is one of the most beneficial aspects of the program.
“When young people realise they can make a change and take ownership of their future, that’s incredibly powerful.”
For youth leaving detention, the Staying on Track program, delivered by Life Without Barriers, provides 12 months of support to reduce reoffending.
“The biggest difference is the long-term support,” Regional Director Sarah Mahony said.
“We’ve seen young people rebuild relationships with their parents, return home, and even walk away from crime.”
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