Townsville police have labelled a recent spate of violent crimes "disgusting" and warn someone will be killed if the attacks don't stop.

In the latest incident, the juveniles allegedly forced their way into a Townsville home just after midnight on Wednesday and attacked a 28-year-old man.

Police said he was taken to hospital in a stable condition with multiple wounds to his hand and back. A blue four-wheel drive was stolen during the break-in.

The 4WD Ford Ranger was later sighted at 4am and police began a short pursuit before calling off the chase.

Also overnight, police officers were called to reports of another attempted car theft and had their unmarked car rammed when they arrived at the scene.

Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon said since Thursday, 12 people have been arrested in Townsville on 57 charges ranging from unlawful use, burglary and stealing.

"Of those 12 people nine are juveniles and all of those juveniles currently remain in custody," he said on Wednesday.

"The use of knives and machetes has to stop. We're one minor issue away from someone being seriously injured or killed.

"I want to know what those family and friends of those people are doing ... this is disgusting behaviour and it's got to stop."

Approximately 40 police were deployed across the city overnight to deal with a range of incidents.

Police hope a suite of changes to youth offender laws will aid in denying more bail applications, while reducing crime levels in the region.

Speaking in Townsville on Wednesday, Police Minister Mark Ryan said the effects of new, stricter "presumption against bail" legislation is already taking effect.

"We're already seeing more people in custody more often for longer," he said.

"The point of the legislation was to address recidivist offenders, and where appropriate, hold them in custody for longer, and certainly the advice I've got is that's what we're seeing."

However local police remain worried about the spike of violent offences in the region.

"The trends are suggesting the number of reported crimes are going down, but that doesn't help the person who's involved, that doesn't help the gentleman in hospital, that doesn't help the woman who had a stanley knife pulled on her," Supt Hanlon said.

"The concern for police is the escalation of the violence involved in this.

"The level of violence is extreme and we need to make sure that our response is commensurate to the level of violence shown by the disgusting behaviour of these individuals."

Australian Associated Press