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The mayor of a tiny north-west Queensland country town says she was horrified to hear that a family of five was forced to jump from their caravan during a car robbery earlier this week.
Hughenden, which has a population of just over 1,000 people, received national attention when a thief stole a car and caravan from the council-run caravan park on Monday night.
A man, woman and three young children managed to escape the caravan when they first felt the car move.
The family of five escaped the caravan as it was driven away. (Supplied: Donna Williams-Reading)
Local police are now accommodating the family.
The mayor Kate Peddle said everything was being done to support them.
"I can't even imagine what that would be like getting dragged away in the middle of the night by a total stranger in your own vehicle," she said.
"It's just horrendous."
The tiny town, located halfway between Townsville and Mount Isa, is popular with tourists as it boasts national parks, nature reserves and the cliffs of Porcupine Gorge.
Hughenden's natural beauty attracts tourists and photographers from across Australia, particularly during the winter months. (ABC News: Baz Ruddick )
Specialist officers sent
Police Minister Mark Ryan said a team of detectives were investigating the matter and that crimes specialist officers had been deployed to the town.
"The community can rest assured that police will hunt down those responsible and they will be held to account," he said.
"Community safety is of paramount importance.
"Every Queenslander, and indeed visitors to our state, has the right to not only be safe, but feel safe."
Mayor Kate Peddle has insisted the town is safe but wants more done to stop crime seeping into country towns. (ABC News: Baz Ruddick)
Attempts to reassure tourists
Despite the scare earlier this week, Cr Peddle has moved to reassure those visiting Hughenden that the town is safe.
"We especially want to ensure that visitors to our town feel safe and can enjoy all the natural beauty and country hospitality we have to offer," she said.
"We take great pride in our community's wellbeing, especially during this peak visitor season."
However, she said crime was persisting across North Queensland and called on all levels of government to work together more effectively.
Cr Peddle also said putting offenders to work could stop the state's crime epidemic from seeping into country towns.
"We should consider initiatives that engage offenders in productive activities — whether it's working with tools or labouring in the paddock under the hot western sun," she said.
"Let's see if they still have the energy or inclination to commit crimes after a long day of labour."
Hughenden is located between Townsville and Mount Isa. (ABC News: Baz Ruddick)
Cr Peddle formerly worked for the Member for Kennedy and Katter's Australian Party (KAP) founder, Bob Katter.
The KAP is running a crime prevention-focused campaign ahead of the state election in October.
Their policies include relocation sentencing for young criminals and 'Castle Law', which would allow the use of lethal force against intruders.
"Our sleepy little towns out here have never experienced anything like that and now we're starting to see sporadic things," Cr Peddle said.
"I'd hate to think we would have to improve our [security] measures.
"I think the state government can look towards some better policies."