Published Thursday, 13 November, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Latest police statistics show crime levels continue to fall
Crime levels in Queensland continue to fall in most areas with the latest police statistics revealing a five per cent decrease in the state’s overall crime rate.
This continues a seven-year trend in which the crime rate has declined or remained stable since 2000–01, representing an overall drop in the crime rate of 24 per cent during this period.
Police Minister Judy Spence and Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson today released the Queensland Police Service 2007-08 Annual Statistical Review, which shows a continued decrease in offences against people and offences against property.
“The latest figures show that overall Queensland continues to be a safe place to live,” Ms Spence said.
“Police continue to make substantial inroads into a number of priority areas such as break and enters and car theft.
“The crime rate across the categories of crimes against property and crimes against people has dropped 10 per cent.”
Both the Minister and Police Commissioner praised the results and thanked members of the Queensland Police Service for their hard work and dedication to making the State a safer place.
“The government has a commitment to and an investment in policing in Queensland. We are tough on crime and the causes of crime. The fact that the overall crime rate continues to fall is indicative of this stance,” Ms Spence said.
“We have also seen falls in the number of offences against the person and property related offences. This occurs not only because of excellent police work but also because of solid partnerships with community members and groups.”
Murder, robbery, break-ins and assaults all decreased, exhibiting some of the lowest rates in these categories for the past 11 years.
State-wide, the rate of murder offences dropped by two per cent and total robberies by seven per cent, with armed robbery falling by two per cent.
The overall crime rate for offences against people fell by five per cent. There were 178 fewer reported assault offences. Sexual assaults, other than rape and attempted rape, fell three per cent, or 60 fewer cases reported than in 2007-08.
“State Government initiatives, such as the Youth Violence Task Force and the successful One Punch Can Kill assault reduction campaign, coupled with community policing partnerships and ongoing targeted policing operations, focusing on anti-social behaviour, drug and liquor offences in public places, are proving successful in deterring violent incidents,” Ms Spence said.
The Annual Statistical Review shows a 21 per cent increase in rape and attempted rape offences. Although the rate of rapes and attempted rapes (number per 100,000 persons) increased by 21 per cent this year, the victim count recorded an increase of four per cent. Taking into account the growth of the Queensland population the rate remained static at 31 victims per 100,000 persons.
Commissioner Atkinson said there could be a number of reasons for the increase in the rate of rapes and attempted rapes.
“People appear to be more prepared to report historical complaints. For example, 31 per cent of rape and attempted rapes in the Metropolitan South Region were historical compared to eight per cent in the previous financial year,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
“Other increases occur where one offender is arrested for multiple offences against one victim. This is demonstrated in one area where one offender was apprehended for 60 offences committed against one victim over a period of time.”
Kidnapping and abduction (which includes deprivation of liberty), fell by 13 per cent.
Break-ins of houses, shops, other premises and motor vehicles have fallen again in 2007-08. In the past 12 months there have been 233 fewer reported house break-ins, 637 fewer shop break-ins, 1806 fewer break-ins to other premises and 1242 fewer vehicles stolen across Queensland.
Ms Spence said: “In 2007-08 we saw strong results for police in relation to fraud offences. The government’s investment in technology and proactive and innovative policing strategies has helped drive a 19 per cent fall in the overall fraud rate.
“Computer fraud fell by 13 per cent, cheque fraud fell by 15 per cent, credit card fraud fell by 25 per cent and other fraud fell by 26 per cent. These are all significant results that police can be proud of. It is indicative of the success of the government’s law and order strategies and professional 21st Century police work.
“Comprehensive crime statistics can be used by police to tackle crime in a more targeted and strategic way. The Computer Crime Investigation Unit provides a good example of this. They identify risks, analyse causal factors and statistics to develop innovative preventative measures relating to computer fraud as well as establishing collaborative partnerships with financial institutions and e-businesses,” Ms Spence said.
“There were 1401 incidents of identity fraud this year. This is the first year that this offence has been treated as a separate category. It highlights the need to remind the community to safeguard their personal information.”
Commissioner Atkinson said the continuing decline in the rate of property crime was good news for Queenslanders and reflective of successful proactive policing and community strategies.
He said it was also pleasing to see an overall reduction in prostitution (38 per cent), and weapons act offences (seven per cent).
“Proactive and targeted policing initiatives have also led to an increase in the number of offences detected in some categories,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
“The rate of liquor offences, good order offences, which includes disorderly conduct and offensive language, and drug offences were up nine per cent, 13 per cent and one per cent respectively. This can generally be attributed to targeted initiatives in public places, such as nightclub areas.”
Commissioner Atkinson acknowledged that the percentage of cleared offences across a number of categories of property crime in particular was not as high as the previous year.
"There are a number of factors affecting clear-up rates, including the fact that some Queenslanders report crime to police with no request for follow up investigation,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
"Police are acutely aware of the importance of continuing efforts to investigate and solve crimes that do occur, and we will continue to work with the community to provide the best outcome possible for all victims of crime."
Ms Spence said the Statistical Review was produced annually to allow police the opportunity to identify and monitor crime trends in Queensland.
“The Review is essential in the development of targeted, strategic responses to crime and safety issues. It allows police to focus their attention alternatively on state, region and district levels and tailor their policing appropriately,” Ms Spence said.
Commissioner Atkinson said the latest results demonstrated the continued commitment of the Queensland Police Service to reduce crime in Queensland and that they were a testament to the strong community support and assistance provided by Queenslanders to police.
“Police are committed to reducing crime and the fact the crime rate in Queensland is continuing its downward path is indicative of this. Our strategies are continually reviewed and we continue to foster close working relationships with all sectors of our community. These relationships help us to ensure a safe and secure Queensland for all Queenslanders.
“The people of Queensland support us tremendously, to help us deliver safer communities and for that they should be thanked and congratulated. The media are also one of our crucial partners. They help to promote proactive policing strategies and programs. They also provide us with crucial publicity which has assisted in the apprehension of a number of offenders,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
Note: All percentages used in this media release relate to the number of reported offences per 100,000 people. An electronic copy of the Queensland Police Service Annual Statistical Review 2007-08 is available on the QPS website at www.police.qld.gov.au.
Media contacts: Minister’s office 3239 6218; Police Media 3015 2444
November 13, 2008
This continues a seven-year trend in which the crime rate has declined or remained stable since 2000–01, representing an overall drop in the crime rate of 24 per cent during this period.
Police Minister Judy Spence and Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson today released the Queensland Police Service 2007-08 Annual Statistical Review, which shows a continued decrease in offences against people and offences against property.
“The latest figures show that overall Queensland continues to be a safe place to live,” Ms Spence said.
“Police continue to make substantial inroads into a number of priority areas such as break and enters and car theft.
“The crime rate across the categories of crimes against property and crimes against people has dropped 10 per cent.”
Both the Minister and Police Commissioner praised the results and thanked members of the Queensland Police Service for their hard work and dedication to making the State a safer place.
“The government has a commitment to and an investment in policing in Queensland. We are tough on crime and the causes of crime. The fact that the overall crime rate continues to fall is indicative of this stance,” Ms Spence said.
“We have also seen falls in the number of offences against the person and property related offences. This occurs not only because of excellent police work but also because of solid partnerships with community members and groups.”
Murder, robbery, break-ins and assaults all decreased, exhibiting some of the lowest rates in these categories for the past 11 years.
State-wide, the rate of murder offences dropped by two per cent and total robberies by seven per cent, with armed robbery falling by two per cent.
The overall crime rate for offences against people fell by five per cent. There were 178 fewer reported assault offences. Sexual assaults, other than rape and attempted rape, fell three per cent, or 60 fewer cases reported than in 2007-08.
“State Government initiatives, such as the Youth Violence Task Force and the successful One Punch Can Kill assault reduction campaign, coupled with community policing partnerships and ongoing targeted policing operations, focusing on anti-social behaviour, drug and liquor offences in public places, are proving successful in deterring violent incidents,” Ms Spence said.
The Annual Statistical Review shows a 21 per cent increase in rape and attempted rape offences. Although the rate of rapes and attempted rapes (number per 100,000 persons) increased by 21 per cent this year, the victim count recorded an increase of four per cent. Taking into account the growth of the Queensland population the rate remained static at 31 victims per 100,000 persons.
Commissioner Atkinson said there could be a number of reasons for the increase in the rate of rapes and attempted rapes.
“People appear to be more prepared to report historical complaints. For example, 31 per cent of rape and attempted rapes in the Metropolitan South Region were historical compared to eight per cent in the previous financial year,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
“Other increases occur where one offender is arrested for multiple offences against one victim. This is demonstrated in one area where one offender was apprehended for 60 offences committed against one victim over a period of time.”
Kidnapping and abduction (which includes deprivation of liberty), fell by 13 per cent.
Break-ins of houses, shops, other premises and motor vehicles have fallen again in 2007-08. In the past 12 months there have been 233 fewer reported house break-ins, 637 fewer shop break-ins, 1806 fewer break-ins to other premises and 1242 fewer vehicles stolen across Queensland.
Ms Spence said: “In 2007-08 we saw strong results for police in relation to fraud offences. The government’s investment in technology and proactive and innovative policing strategies has helped drive a 19 per cent fall in the overall fraud rate.
“Computer fraud fell by 13 per cent, cheque fraud fell by 15 per cent, credit card fraud fell by 25 per cent and other fraud fell by 26 per cent. These are all significant results that police can be proud of. It is indicative of the success of the government’s law and order strategies and professional 21st Century police work.
“Comprehensive crime statistics can be used by police to tackle crime in a more targeted and strategic way. The Computer Crime Investigation Unit provides a good example of this. They identify risks, analyse causal factors and statistics to develop innovative preventative measures relating to computer fraud as well as establishing collaborative partnerships with financial institutions and e-businesses,” Ms Spence said.
“There were 1401 incidents of identity fraud this year. This is the first year that this offence has been treated as a separate category. It highlights the need to remind the community to safeguard their personal information.”
Commissioner Atkinson said the continuing decline in the rate of property crime was good news for Queenslanders and reflective of successful proactive policing and community strategies.
He said it was also pleasing to see an overall reduction in prostitution (38 per cent), and weapons act offences (seven per cent).
“Proactive and targeted policing initiatives have also led to an increase in the number of offences detected in some categories,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
“The rate of liquor offences, good order offences, which includes disorderly conduct and offensive language, and drug offences were up nine per cent, 13 per cent and one per cent respectively. This can generally be attributed to targeted initiatives in public places, such as nightclub areas.”
Commissioner Atkinson acknowledged that the percentage of cleared offences across a number of categories of property crime in particular was not as high as the previous year.
"There are a number of factors affecting clear-up rates, including the fact that some Queenslanders report crime to police with no request for follow up investigation,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
"Police are acutely aware of the importance of continuing efforts to investigate and solve crimes that do occur, and we will continue to work with the community to provide the best outcome possible for all victims of crime."
Ms Spence said the Statistical Review was produced annually to allow police the opportunity to identify and monitor crime trends in Queensland.
“The Review is essential in the development of targeted, strategic responses to crime and safety issues. It allows police to focus their attention alternatively on state, region and district levels and tailor their policing appropriately,” Ms Spence said.
Commissioner Atkinson said the latest results demonstrated the continued commitment of the Queensland Police Service to reduce crime in Queensland and that they were a testament to the strong community support and assistance provided by Queenslanders to police.
“Police are committed to reducing crime and the fact the crime rate in Queensland is continuing its downward path is indicative of this. Our strategies are continually reviewed and we continue to foster close working relationships with all sectors of our community. These relationships help us to ensure a safe and secure Queensland for all Queenslanders.
“The people of Queensland support us tremendously, to help us deliver safer communities and for that they should be thanked and congratulated. The media are also one of our crucial partners. They help to promote proactive policing strategies and programs. They also provide us with crucial publicity which has assisted in the apprehension of a number of offenders,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
Note: All percentages used in this media release relate to the number of reported offences per 100,000 people. An electronic copy of the Queensland Police Service Annual Statistical Review 2007-08 is available on the QPS website at www.police.qld.gov.au.
Media contacts: Minister’s office 3239 6218; Police Media 3015 2444
November 13, 2008