Court's mass bail of youths triggers police appeal push

Police are pushing to appeal against the release on bail of more than a dozen alleged young offenders by a Townsville magistrate in one day.

Queensland Assistant Commissioner Mark Wheeler said one of the youths released on Thursday had already breached bail conditions by Friday morning and police would ask that they be returned to custody.

A spokesman for the Office of the Chief Magistrate confirmed 13 young people who appeared in the Townsville Children's Court on Thursday were released on bail.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles labelled the magistrate's move as a "media stunt".

"Of course our courts are independent and that is a critically important element of our state and the way we administer our state but I can tell you what I think,'' Mr Miles told reporters.

"This media stunt is putting the community of Townsville in danger. It should not be happening. We cannot allow the safety of Townsville residents to be held to ransom by rogue courts and rogue justices."

The government will this month move to introduce tough new laws targeting youth offenders amid concerns about rising crime rates.

Mr Wheeler said patrols would be ramped up over coming weeks for any youths or adults released on bail, particularly for serious offences.

"We're taking legal advice as we speak to undertake appeals where appropriate," Mr Wheeler said.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said he was frustrated by the Townsville court's decision and he welcomed any appeal against the rulings. He said one appeal had already been launched.

"We launched it yesterday ... in the most urgent matter," Mr Ryan said.

He said he hoped the Supreme Court would prioritise community safety during the appeals process.

The children were reportedly being held in the Townsville watch house because of capacity problems at the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre.

But Mr Ryan said the youths' release should not have been granted on the grounds of capacity constraints.

"If it is purported that the exclusive reason that bail is granted is because of capacity, I would suggest that is an unlawful reason," he said.

"You have to make decisions in accordance with law. And if (magistrates) make decisions which we think are inconsistent with the law, then we will appeal those decisions."

Mr Wheeler said police had "surge capacity" and this would be enacted immediately.

"We deployed a number of additional resources to ensure that there was appropriate monitoring of those young people who were released," he said.

"Really, really strict, intensive bail checks on those young people, hot-spot patrols in appropriate areas, and making sure we're undertaking appropriate engagement activities to mitigate any risk to the community."