Deputy Commissioner Tracy Linford says the nature of youth crime has changed in her nearly 40 years in the force.

In a wide-ranging interview with Peter Fegan on 4BC Mornings, Deputy Commissioner Linford welcomed the reforms unveiled by the state government to shakeup the youth justice system.

It comes in the wake of the death of Emma Lovell, who was allegedly fatally stabbed after juveniles allegedly broke into her North Lakes home on Boxing Day.

She admitted that police do become frustrated when they see the same offenders committing crimes, and said authorities must keep evolving.

“What we do know is the actual number of what we call unique offenders, that’s individual offenders, has actually been reducing,” she said.

“But what we’ve got is this small cohort of offenders that are committing more crime.”

The nature of the crimes being committed has changed in her years in the force, with youth offenders boldly breaking into homes to steal keys and cars.

“I can certainly say I’ve seen it change, I’ve been policing for 38 years,” Deputy Commissioner Linford said.

“I think the big thing that’s really shocked me is the amount of young girls now committing crimes, we really didn’t see that in my early career.

“One of the big game changers is social media.”

Press PLAY below to hear her views on how it’s changed