QUEENSLAND POLICE ANNUAL STATISTICAL REVIEW
Published Thursday, 02 November, 2006 at 01:06 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
The report card is out – Queensland remains a safe place to live, with the state’s overall crime rate remaining stable in the 2005-2006 statistical year.
Premier Peter Beattie, Police Minister Judy Spence and Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson today released the Queensland Police Service Annual Statistical Review, which shows offences against people and offences against property decreased by a combined rate of three percent in the past year.
Police also achieved a two percent increase in the crime clear-up rate for both offences.
Murder, robbery and property offences such as break-ins and car thefts have all continued a downward trend, with this year’s statistical release showing some of the lowest rates in these categories for the past ten years.
Mr Beattie said the comprehensive crime statistics contained vital information that police will use to tackle crime and safety concerns in a more targeted and strategic way.
“While this report shows annual trend rates for many categories of crime are continuing downwards, this past year has seen a major increase in computer-related fraud,” Mr Beattie said.
“While cheque and credit card fraud offences decreased, there was a 73 percent increase in computer-based fraud during 2005/06.
“This shows how technology-dependent we have become on internet transactions – and why the new High Tech Crimes and Credit Card Fraud Squad that we are setting up within the Queensland Police is needed.”
Ms Spence said she was concerned with the small increase in the number and rate of assaults, rape, attempted rape in the 2005/06 report, as well as a more significant increase in other sexual offences, such as indecent assault.
“While the five year trend rate for assaults and sexual offences shows a continued decline, there has been a spike in these offences during 2005/06,” Ms Spence said.
“Police are examining factors which may have influenced these increases, so that they can work with the community to turn these rates around,” Ms Spence said.
“Early indications suggest the rises may be linked to increased police activity in public areas to identify assaults, a greater tendency by police to charge domestic violence offenders with assault as well as breach of domestic violence orders, and an increased propensity by members of the public to report assaults.
“Violence will not be tolerated. The single highest category of those most at risk of being offended against is the 15-19 year age group, which is why the Beattie Government has set up the Youth Violence Task Force.
“This Taskforce, which I chair, will meet for the first time on Monday, and will focus on developing strategies to try to prevent violence against and by young people.
“As a community we have a responsibility to look at everything we can to prevent violent situations developing rather than just rely on police to intervene after it has happened.
“This is especially so when police statistics reveal that 81 percent of offenders charged with rape, attempted rape and other sexual offences were known to their victim.
“While 38 percent of these offenders were from the same family, 43 percent were either acquaintances, friends, neighbours or colleagues.
“These results show that women will no longer tolerate any form of sexual offence and that they have confidence that their complaints will be taken seriously and be properly and fully investigated.”
Mr Atkinson said proactive and targeted policing initiatives had also led to an increase in the number of offences detected in some crime categories.
“The rate of good order offences, which include disorderly conduct and offensive language, was up nine percent and this can generally be put down to targeted initiatives in public places,” Mr Atkinson said.
“The rate of drug offences across the state rose by five percent and this is also largely due to the success of targeted operations by the drug squad and regional police.”
Ms Spence and Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson have thanked police for their continuing commitment to keeping Queensland a safe place to live.
“The Beattie Government has employed more police than any other government in Queensland’s history,” Ms Spence said.
“We currently have more than 9,300 police officers in Queensland, and we have a higher ratio of police officers per person than the national average. We will continue this investment in police and police numbers in order to keep crime rates low.”
Mr Atkinson thanked Queenslanders for the role they played in partnering with police to ensure that our communities are as safe as possible.
“The overall rate of crime in Queensland has been on a downward path overall over recent years,” Mr Atkinson said.
“These decreases are welcomed, but the Police Service is not taking them for granted. We must continue to review our own strategies and to work closely with all sectors of the community to prevent crime and bring law breakers to justice.
“This is not something police can do alone, but it requires diligence and commitment from the whole community.”
Mr Atkinson also thanked the media across the State for continuing to work with police to raise awareness of precautions that can be taken to prevent crime and also for publicity that has directly led to the apprehension of a large number of offenders.
He said the continuing decline in the rate of property crime was one significant area where good progress is being made.
“Over the past few years we have seen a significant reduction in the number of unlawful entry offences and last year was no exception,” Mr Atkinson said.
“In 2005-06, the rate of unlawful entry dropped seven per cent and the rate of unlawful use of motor vehicles was down 13 per cent.
“Across all categories of unlawful entry – including those for dwellings, shops and other premises – there was a fall of 2,733 in the number of offences reported.
“2005-06 saw 1,494 fewer vehicles stolen than in the previous year. It appears that more people are heeding the warnings from police about property safety.”
The continuation of Alcohol Management Plans in some indigenous communities throughout Queensland again contributed to the rise in the detection of liquor offences. Police in other areas have also conducted special operations in the vicinity of licensed premises and the continuation of the Liquor Enforcement and Proactive Strategies program in Brisbane has helped to target Liquor Act offences.
Mr Beattie commended police for their commitment to excellence and strengthening community partnerships.
“These figures prove that while there is still work to be done, Queenslanders can be confident that our police are making great strides in controlling and detecting crime and providing a safe place to live,” Mr Beattie said.
Note: All percentages used in the media release relate to the rate (the number of reported offences per 100,000 people). An electronic copy of the Queensland Police Service Annual Statistical Review 2005-06 is available on the QPS website at www.police.qld.gov.au. There is a link from the homepage to the current statistical review, which was tabled in State Parliament.
Media contacts: Alison Smith 3239 6218 / 0439 673 287 (Minister’s office)
Police Media 3015 2444
Premier Peter Beattie, Police Minister Judy Spence and Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson today released the Queensland Police Service Annual Statistical Review, which shows offences against people and offences against property decreased by a combined rate of three percent in the past year.
Police also achieved a two percent increase in the crime clear-up rate for both offences.
Murder, robbery and property offences such as break-ins and car thefts have all continued a downward trend, with this year’s statistical release showing some of the lowest rates in these categories for the past ten years.
Mr Beattie said the comprehensive crime statistics contained vital information that police will use to tackle crime and safety concerns in a more targeted and strategic way.
“While this report shows annual trend rates for many categories of crime are continuing downwards, this past year has seen a major increase in computer-related fraud,” Mr Beattie said.
“While cheque and credit card fraud offences decreased, there was a 73 percent increase in computer-based fraud during 2005/06.
“This shows how technology-dependent we have become on internet transactions – and why the new High Tech Crimes and Credit Card Fraud Squad that we are setting up within the Queensland Police is needed.”
Ms Spence said she was concerned with the small increase in the number and rate of assaults, rape, attempted rape in the 2005/06 report, as well as a more significant increase in other sexual offences, such as indecent assault.
“While the five year trend rate for assaults and sexual offences shows a continued decline, there has been a spike in these offences during 2005/06,” Ms Spence said.
“Police are examining factors which may have influenced these increases, so that they can work with the community to turn these rates around,” Ms Spence said.
“Early indications suggest the rises may be linked to increased police activity in public areas to identify assaults, a greater tendency by police to charge domestic violence offenders with assault as well as breach of domestic violence orders, and an increased propensity by members of the public to report assaults.
“Violence will not be tolerated. The single highest category of those most at risk of being offended against is the 15-19 year age group, which is why the Beattie Government has set up the Youth Violence Task Force.
“This Taskforce, which I chair, will meet for the first time on Monday, and will focus on developing strategies to try to prevent violence against and by young people.
“As a community we have a responsibility to look at everything we can to prevent violent situations developing rather than just rely on police to intervene after it has happened.
“This is especially so when police statistics reveal that 81 percent of offenders charged with rape, attempted rape and other sexual offences were known to their victim.
“While 38 percent of these offenders were from the same family, 43 percent were either acquaintances, friends, neighbours or colleagues.
“These results show that women will no longer tolerate any form of sexual offence and that they have confidence that their complaints will be taken seriously and be properly and fully investigated.”
Mr Atkinson said proactive and targeted policing initiatives had also led to an increase in the number of offences detected in some crime categories.
“The rate of good order offences, which include disorderly conduct and offensive language, was up nine percent and this can generally be put down to targeted initiatives in public places,” Mr Atkinson said.
“The rate of drug offences across the state rose by five percent and this is also largely due to the success of targeted operations by the drug squad and regional police.”
Ms Spence and Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson have thanked police for their continuing commitment to keeping Queensland a safe place to live.
“The Beattie Government has employed more police than any other government in Queensland’s history,” Ms Spence said.
“We currently have more than 9,300 police officers in Queensland, and we have a higher ratio of police officers per person than the national average. We will continue this investment in police and police numbers in order to keep crime rates low.”
Mr Atkinson thanked Queenslanders for the role they played in partnering with police to ensure that our communities are as safe as possible.
“The overall rate of crime in Queensland has been on a downward path overall over recent years,” Mr Atkinson said.
“These decreases are welcomed, but the Police Service is not taking them for granted. We must continue to review our own strategies and to work closely with all sectors of the community to prevent crime and bring law breakers to justice.
“This is not something police can do alone, but it requires diligence and commitment from the whole community.”
Mr Atkinson also thanked the media across the State for continuing to work with police to raise awareness of precautions that can be taken to prevent crime and also for publicity that has directly led to the apprehension of a large number of offenders.
He said the continuing decline in the rate of property crime was one significant area where good progress is being made.
“Over the past few years we have seen a significant reduction in the number of unlawful entry offences and last year was no exception,” Mr Atkinson said.
“In 2005-06, the rate of unlawful entry dropped seven per cent and the rate of unlawful use of motor vehicles was down 13 per cent.
“Across all categories of unlawful entry – including those for dwellings, shops and other premises – there was a fall of 2,733 in the number of offences reported.
“2005-06 saw 1,494 fewer vehicles stolen than in the previous year. It appears that more people are heeding the warnings from police about property safety.”
The continuation of Alcohol Management Plans in some indigenous communities throughout Queensland again contributed to the rise in the detection of liquor offences. Police in other areas have also conducted special operations in the vicinity of licensed premises and the continuation of the Liquor Enforcement and Proactive Strategies program in Brisbane has helped to target Liquor Act offences.
Mr Beattie commended police for their commitment to excellence and strengthening community partnerships.
“These figures prove that while there is still work to be done, Queenslanders can be confident that our police are making great strides in controlling and detecting crime and providing a safe place to live,” Mr Beattie said.
Note: All percentages used in the media release relate to the rate (the number of reported offences per 100,000 people). An electronic copy of the Queensland Police Service Annual Statistical Review 2005-06 is available on the QPS website at www.police.qld.gov.au. There is a link from the homepage to the current statistical review, which was tabled in State Parliament.
Media contacts: Alison Smith 3239 6218 / 0439 673 287 (Minister’s office)
Police Media 3015 2444