Police data showing a record number of car theft offences in Queensland comes as the state prepares to introduce new laws targeting young offenders.
More than 2130 offences of the unlawful use of a motor vehicle were recorded last December, the highest monthly figure recorded in the data dating back to July 1997.
New laws targeting young offenders are being drafted for introduction into state parliament this month.
The plan includes longer prison terms for car thieves, increased penalties for those who boast about crime on social media and judges having to take the histories of child offenders into account when deciding on bail applications.
The Liberal National opposition claims "watered-down" youth crime laws are the cause of the problem.
"Queenslanders everywhere are paying a high price for the state government's soft laws because we're now seeing the cost of car insurance jump in line with the number of cars stolen across our communities," Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said.
The Queensland Police on Wednesday launched a new youth crime taskforce to build on the work of a previous body which focused on the small group responsible for the majority of crimes.
Led by Acting Assistant Commissioner George Marchesini, the taskforce has a broader remit investigating how to best divert children from the criminal justice system.
"I certainly understand the concerns of the community when they see things like 12-year-old children committing serious offences," he said.
"The reality though, is that youth crime is very complex...it's a challenging issue which will take not just government but community working together to address."
Part of the taskforce's work will assess the effectiveness of youth crime prevention programs run in Queensland.
"If we're rolling those programs out, we need to see if it's making a difference," he said.
The government and opposition were targeted in an open letter by experts and advocacy organisations concerned the political point-scoring would solve nothing.
"It is time for all members of parliament to stop political point-scoring about who is the toughest on youth crime," PeakCare Queensland exectuive director Lindsay Wegener said.
"Communities deserve to feel safe and children need to be held accountable for their behaviours in ways that actually work."
The letter calls for a bi-partisan, holistic approach "based on getting smarter, not tougher" to keep communities safe.
"Many of the children who find themselves on the wrong side of the law have been the victims of crimes far more serious than any offences they have committed," it says.
"Many have grown up learning that adults are not to be trusted. Is it any wonder that they have little respect or trust in authority figures and the justice system?"
