After 12 stolen cars were seen being taken for joy rides around the regional Queensland city of Mount Isa last week, residents took to Facebook to report sightings and air their concerns.
But as tourist season kicks off, businesses say the social media "rumour mill" is having devastating impacts on visitor numbers.
Meanwhile, police are urging civilians threatening vigilantism to let officers do their jobs.
Youth crime has long been an issue in Mount Isa, but last week saw a major increase in vehicle theft according to Acting Superintendent for the Mount Isa district Jason Smith.
"We have had an exceptional spike in the unlawful use of motor vehicles," he said.
"We've arrested over 10 juvenile offenders.
"There a number of girls aged 14 and 15 as well."
The cars stolen were driven erratically and dangerously throughout the Mount Isa region for several days.
"It's a difficult one for police — we know that these are juveniles behind the wheel," Acting Superintendent Smith said.
"And very often, when police attempt to engage, that's when they start driving dangerously.
"We have to weigh up how and when to intercept when it's safe for not just the occupants but for the community."
He said while social media helped spread awareness, the comments and opinions that flowed did not present an accurate depiction of the situation and sometimes encouraged vigilante behaviour.
"Social media works well in making people aware," Acting Superintendent Smith said.
"Unfortunately, it doesn't present a balanced view of the situation.
"Leave us to do our job.
Acting Superintendent Smith said several methods, including tyre deflation mechanisms and dog squads, were used to apprehend juvenile offenders on the road.
"Our track record of locating and charging offenders for unlawful use is among the highest in the state," he said.
Driving tourists away
Kylie Rixon, who runs the Sunset Tourist Park in Mount Isa, said the impact of inflated rumours about youth crime was keenly felt at the beginning of the tourist season.
"The rumour mill runs fast in the grey nomad circle, which is all our visiting tourists, and they certainly are concerned," she said.
"There have also been people who say that they shouldn't come here because the crime is so bad, which to us as a tourism body is absolutely devastating."
Ms Rixon said there were protective processes in place at many tourist sites.
"Everyone we talk to, it's about 'lock it or lose it,'" she said.
"That's our major point — the youth crime out here is mainly opportunistic and if you make it hard for them they will move on.
"We have security cameras and everyone that trespasses that's not a registered guest, we charge.
"We walk around at night with our dogs and there are police patrols."
Acting Superintendent Smith said the recent spike in youth crime was not reflective of a major increase in overall numbers.
"So far this year, we've had about 166 occurrences," he said.
"That's compared to the previous financial year when we had 170.
Acting Superintendent Smith said residents needed to be more vigilant with hiding keys and locking doors.
"Social media plays an important role in spreading awareness and perhaps encouraging residents into better protective behaviours," he said.
"Some of these motor vehicles had the keys inside the unlocked car.
