Queenslanders can now verify stolen cars with the click of a button through a police website. Users of the website can search the registration or description of a suspicious car and check if it is stolen Many Townsville residents use Facebook to find information on stolen vehicles The website is the latest resource deployed in the fight against crime in North Queensland The Queensland Police Service (QPS) launched the portal earlier this week and as of this morning 525 vehicles had been listed as stolen. QPS also has  a dedicated helicopter and a new communications system for officers in Townsville, where 79 cars were stolen within the space of a week in December. Townsville mayor Jenny Hill described the crime wave as “absolute mayhem” and welcomed the extra resources. “This will give police, I hope, what they need to be able to deal with these kids very quickly and very efficiently,” she said. Through the stolen vehicles page on the QPS website, users can search the registration or description of a car and check whether it is stolen. Police will refresh the data every day and the details of stolen cars will remain online for 28 days. Townsville resident Scott Bonner’s car was stolen while he slept. ( North Queensland: Chloe Chomicki ) ‘Gut-wrenching’ loss Scott Bonner was left shaken and thousands of dollars out of pocket when his car was stolen while he slept in his Townsville home last year. “To have someone break into your home while you’re asleep and steal your second-biggest asset is gut wrenching,” Mr Bonner said. Facebook users posted descriptions and sightings of his car driving dangerously to Townsville anti-crime groups and Mr Bonner said he struggled to relay that information to police quickly. Cars are stolen on a regular basis in Townsville. ( North Queensland: Rachael Merritt ) “I would call the police station and say my vehicle has just been sighted there,” he said. “By the time I would relay that it was usually too late as stolen cars don’t hang around in one spot for too long.” Mr Bonner welcomed the new police website, but believed it would be difficult to steer people away from Facebook groups and report thefts in a timely manner. Jenny Hill says the new system is superior to using Facebook to track criminal activity. (  North Queensland: Lily Nothling ) ‘A better alternative’ Cr Hill said it was crucial that the community report to police quickly now they can verify a vehicle as stolen. “The problem with Facebook is that the data isn’t necessarily accurate,” she said. “Someone makes a post on there and thinks police know and council knows “This is a better alternative ” we need the community to report to police.” The QPS said the website allowed the public to play a crucial role in helping track down the more than 19,000 cars stolen in the state each year. Anyone who witnesses a car being stolen or sees a stolen vehicle with occupants should call 000. People are advised to report a vehicle stolen some time ago or an abandoned stolen vehicle via Policelink . Find more local news Browse for your location and find more local and information