Reckless in lockdown: Teenagers targeting suburban Brisbane neighbourhoods amid COVID-19 pandemic

All aspects of our lives are changing in the face of the coronavirus pandemic but unfortunately it has not stopped opportunistic thieves targeting victims inside their homes.

9News has obtained exclusive footage of three masked teenagers casing a car parked in a driveway at Eight Mile Plains, in suburban Brisbane.

Police say it is a problem that is growing by the night as youths become restless in lockdown.

"We are seeing a slight increase of break and enters," Queensland Police Inspector Keith McDonald told 9News.

"There may be a lot of people unemployed who may turn to crime."

In just the past week, the Eight Miles Plain street has been hit by teenagers three times.

Each time the teenagers have returned they have been accompanied by new recruits.

"I figure they're just trying [to suss] out who are the vulnerable and the targets that are leaving doors unlocked," Insp. McDonald said.

One resident, who did not wish to be identified out of fear, said the thieves came within metres of his sleeping wife and child but were scared off by a security light.

He has started a WhatsApp group to keep the neighbourhood informed and is starting a petition for more patrols in his area.

"It essentially went from two to three to four, so that's why I started the WhatsApp group," he said.

"I kind of had a feeling this is escalating."

Insp. McDonald said police were aware and alert to the changing nature of society amid the pandemic and its impacts on the broader community.

"[Criminals] will be caught. It doesn't matter how long it takes, we will catch you," he said.

The advice from police is to keep your house and car locked up at all times – even when working at home or self-isolating – and any valuables or keys out of sight or reach.