A former Queensland Police superintendent doesn’t think social media notoriety is playing a major role in a spike in car thefts. 

The Courier Mail yesterday reported that youth offenders are racing for notoriety online, with many apparently stealing vehicles in competition with friends and associates.

But former QPS superintendent Jim Keogh told Sofie Formica he believes many of the thefts would still occur without social media.

“These young people, if you looked at their criminal history, they’re not simply involved in car thefts,” he said. “They’re using the car to commit further crimes.

“I would suggest to you if it wasn’t displayed on social media, they would still steal a car, they would still commit the offences, simply because they have now indoctrinated themselves into a world of criminality.”

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview 

Image: Getty