Published Tuesday, 06 March, 2007 at 10:18 AM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
CRIME CONTINUES TO FALL IN QUEENSLAND
A half-yearly snapshot of crime statistics in Queensland has revealed some significant decreases in key crime categories, and an increase in clear-up rates.
Police Minister Judy Spence today tabled the mid-year crime statistics in State Parliament, thanking police officers around the state for their good work.
“I am pleased to see these figures for the last six months of 2006 show notable drops in reported crimes such as robbery, fraud and handling stolen goods,” Ms Spence said.
“During this period property crime in Queensland dropped by four percent, while crimes against the person dropped by two percent.
“There was also a one percent drop in the rate of sexual offences, which is encouraging news considering that in the previous 12 months there had been a significant spike in sexual offences.”
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said the release of the mid-year statewide crime statistics were an important tool for the Queensland Police Service, enabling officers to identify trends and patterns and consider new directions for policing throughout the state.
Ms Spence said the mid-year review showed that between July 1 - December 31 2006, the rate of reported offences per 100,000 people in Queensland showed:
• A 3% decrease in drug offences
• A 9% drop in robbery
• A 9% reduction in the unlawful use of a motor vehicle
• A 7% decrease in arson
• A 2% drop in assaults
• A 1% decrease in sexual offences
• A 27% drop in drug trafficking
• A 29% drop in prostitution offences
“Good order offences rose by 19 percent, however what this shows is that police are serious in not tolerating public nuisance or people who failed to move on when directed,” Ms Spence said.
“Similarly, the rate of liquor offences increased by 36 percent.”
Ms Spence said there had also been increases in some areas of cleared crime during the six month period including:
• 70% of sexual offences cleared, up from 66% in the previous period
• 64% of fraud cases cleared, up from 55% in the previous period
Mr Atkinson said there was a significant decrease of eight percent in the overall figures for fraud, but credit card fraud had continued to rise.
“While the number and rate of this type of offences is small, the rise in credit card fraud is a warning to anyone conducting business to ensure they take the necessary security precautions,” Mr Atkinson said.
“The fight against crime has no end point, so police can never relax and think the job is done.
“We cannot be complacent, we must always be seeking new and improved ways to prevent and solve crimes.”
Media contacts: Alison Smith 3239 6218 / 0439 673 287 (Minister’s office)
Police Media: 3015 2444
Please contact the Minister's Office, or Police Media, to obtain a copy of the table of statistics.
***NB News Editors – these are the Queensland Police Service’s Mid Year Statewide Crime Statistics. They are overall State figures. The Annual Statistical Review is compiled after each financial year and provides a breakdown of statistics at regional and district levels. The next Review will be released in November.***
Police Minister Judy Spence today tabled the mid-year crime statistics in State Parliament, thanking police officers around the state for their good work.
“I am pleased to see these figures for the last six months of 2006 show notable drops in reported crimes such as robbery, fraud and handling stolen goods,” Ms Spence said.
“During this period property crime in Queensland dropped by four percent, while crimes against the person dropped by two percent.
“There was also a one percent drop in the rate of sexual offences, which is encouraging news considering that in the previous 12 months there had been a significant spike in sexual offences.”
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said the release of the mid-year statewide crime statistics were an important tool for the Queensland Police Service, enabling officers to identify trends and patterns and consider new directions for policing throughout the state.
Ms Spence said the mid-year review showed that between July 1 - December 31 2006, the rate of reported offences per 100,000 people in Queensland showed:
• A 3% decrease in drug offences
• A 9% drop in robbery
• A 9% reduction in the unlawful use of a motor vehicle
• A 7% decrease in arson
• A 2% drop in assaults
• A 1% decrease in sexual offences
• A 27% drop in drug trafficking
• A 29% drop in prostitution offences
“Good order offences rose by 19 percent, however what this shows is that police are serious in not tolerating public nuisance or people who failed to move on when directed,” Ms Spence said.
“Similarly, the rate of liquor offences increased by 36 percent.”
Ms Spence said there had also been increases in some areas of cleared crime during the six month period including:
• 70% of sexual offences cleared, up from 66% in the previous period
• 64% of fraud cases cleared, up from 55% in the previous period
Mr Atkinson said there was a significant decrease of eight percent in the overall figures for fraud, but credit card fraud had continued to rise.
“While the number and rate of this type of offences is small, the rise in credit card fraud is a warning to anyone conducting business to ensure they take the necessary security precautions,” Mr Atkinson said.
“The fight against crime has no end point, so police can never relax and think the job is done.
“We cannot be complacent, we must always be seeking new and improved ways to prevent and solve crimes.”
Media contacts: Alison Smith 3239 6218 / 0439 673 287 (Minister’s office)
Police Media: 3015 2444
Please contact the Minister's Office, or Police Media, to obtain a copy of the table of statistics.
***NB News Editors – these are the Queensland Police Service’s Mid Year Statewide Crime Statistics. They are overall State figures. The Annual Statistical Review is compiled after each financial year and provides a breakdown of statistics at regional and district levels. The next Review will be released in November.***