Crime down and Ipswich families safer

Ipswich families are safer because of revitalised frontline police, smarter technology and stronger laws, according to the latest Queensland crime statistics.

Police Minister Jack Dempsey joined Member for Ipswich Ian Berry and Police Superintendent Mark Kelly to outline the reduction in reported crime in Ipswich for the 2013/14 financial year.

“We committed to making Ipswich a safer place to live, work, visit and raise a family,” Mr Dempsey said.

“We’ve put well over 800 additional police on the beat as part of our election commitment and given them the latest technology to keep our streets safe.

“In Ipswich you can now walk along the street with less fear of being mugged as the rate of reported robbery is down 32 per cent.

“The rate of reported offences against property has dropped 8 per cent, a reduction of almost 800 offences.

“The homes and businesses of Ipswich families are now less likely to be broken into as the rate of reported unlawful entry is down 16 per cent.”

The statistics show:

• The rate of reported fraud is down 11 per cent.
• The rate of reported arson is down 25 per cent.
• The rate of reported assault is down 3 per cent.
• The rate of reported unlawful use of motor vehicle is down 16 per cent.
• The rate of reported handling of stolen goods is down 10 per cent.

Member for Ipswich Ian Berry said the government had given police in the region the tools to do their job.

“We see that police are given more time to patrol and more resources to crack down on crime because of new mobile devices like ipads and iphones and a second police helicopter,” Mr Berry said.

Member for Ipswich West Sean Choat said the government was delivering on its commitment to make Ipswich a safer place.

“I applaud the extra resources that have been delivered to our community and there’s no doubt police have engaged with the people of Ipswich to drive crime down,” Mr Choat said.

Superintendent Mark Kelly said other offences were up 28 per cent because of proactive policing and greater community confidence.

“We’ve been able to capture 54 per cent more drug offences and 43 per cent more weapons act offences because of targeted intelligence operations and a borderless policing model that makes us more mobile,” Superintendent Kelly said.

[ENDS] 7 August 2014

Media Contacts:  Andrew Kos 0408 912 821