Published Thursday, 13 November, 2008 at 01:30 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Metropolitan South Region welcomes reduction in crime rate
The Metropolitan South Region Assistant Commissioner Paul Stewart congratulated police officers on their outstanding performance as the Queensland Police Service (QPS) 2007/08 Annual Statistical Review showed the overall crime rate within the region had fallen by eight percent.
The Statistical Review and Annual Report, tabled in Parliament today by Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport Judy Spence, presents a comprehensive insight into the level and nature of crime reported for each police region and district throughout Queensland.
Minister Spence and Assistant Commissioner Stewart praised the results and gave special thanks to the members of the Metropolitan South Region for their hard work and dedication to making this area a safer place.
“The government has a commitment to and 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.
“The review highlights the fact that crime in Brisbane’s southern suburbs is in decline. That means police and the community are coming together harmoniously to make a meaningful difference. Together we are achieving positive results and fostering safer and more secure communities,” Assistant Commissioner Stewart said.
“Key crime categories are down. Assaults are down 11 percent, break-ins overall are down three percent, fraud is down by six percent and other sexual offences are down by 10 percent.
“We are particularly proud of our ability to clamp down on the number of break-ins. We’ve seen break-ins to shops fall by 17 percent and break-ins to other premises fall by 26 percent.
“However, we urge people to remain vigilant when locking up their homes and protecting their possessions. Break-ins for the reporting period climbed to 5283 from 4572 for the previous year, a rise of 14 percent,” he said.
There were six murders in 2007/08, the same as in the previous year. When adjusted for population growth this represents a two percent decline.
Kidnapping and abduction offences fell slightly from 47 reported offences in 2006/07 to 36 in 2007/08.
The number of rapes and attempted rapes increased from 145 in 2006/07 to 224 in 2007/08. There may be a number of reasons for such an increase.
“People appear to be more willing to report historical offences to police. These are offences reported 10 or more years after they occurred. Thirty-one percent of rape and attempted rapes reported in 2007/08 were historical compared to eight percent in the previous financial year,” Assistant Commissioner Stewart said.
Arson has also declined by 11 percent, other property damage has fallen by 26 percent, unlawful use of a motor vehicle has fallen by 22 percent and other theft has declined by 11 percent.
“2007/08 has been a successful year in the fight against fraud. There was a six percent decline in the rate of all fraud offences. That pleasing result was built upon a 30 percent fall in credit card fraud, a four percent fall in other fraud and a 21 percent fall in cheque fraud.”
“Identity fraud has been isolated as a distinct category for the first time this year. Eighty-one offences were detected which indicates our message encouraging victims to report this type of crime is working. It is also a timely reminder that as we continue to conduct more of our daily business on the internet we must also remain vigilant of the information we give out and the websites we access,” Assistant Commissioner Stewart said.
Drug offences fell by four percent throughout the region and prostitution declined from 40 offences detected in 2006/07 to 27 in this reporting period. Weapons Act offences fell from 537 in 2006/07 to 497 in 2007/08.
“Sometimes slight increases in crime rates of certain categories are welcome. This year we’ve seen liquor offences rise by 29 percent and good order offences rise by 14 percent.
“What this means is that police are out there in the community, proactively targeting anti-social behaviour and making our communities safer for everybody,” Assistant Commissioner Stewart said.
Metropolitan South Region encompasses the three policing districts of Oxley, South Brisbane and Wynnum.
Note: All percentages used in the release relate to the number of reported offences per 100,000 people. Media seeking regional and district crime statistics from the Queensland Police Service 2007/08 Annual Statistical Review can locate details 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 today.
Media contacts: Minister’s Office – 3239 6218
Police media – 3015 2444
The Statistical Review and Annual Report, tabled in Parliament today by Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport Judy Spence, presents a comprehensive insight into the level and nature of crime reported for each police region and district throughout Queensland.
Minister Spence and Assistant Commissioner Stewart praised the results and gave special thanks to the members of the Metropolitan South Region for their hard work and dedication to making this area a safer place.
“The government has a commitment to and 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.
“The review highlights the fact that crime in Brisbane’s southern suburbs is in decline. That means police and the community are coming together harmoniously to make a meaningful difference. Together we are achieving positive results and fostering safer and more secure communities,” Assistant Commissioner Stewart said.
“Key crime categories are down. Assaults are down 11 percent, break-ins overall are down three percent, fraud is down by six percent and other sexual offences are down by 10 percent.
“We are particularly proud of our ability to clamp down on the number of break-ins. We’ve seen break-ins to shops fall by 17 percent and break-ins to other premises fall by 26 percent.
“However, we urge people to remain vigilant when locking up their homes and protecting their possessions. Break-ins for the reporting period climbed to 5283 from 4572 for the previous year, a rise of 14 percent,” he said.
There were six murders in 2007/08, the same as in the previous year. When adjusted for population growth this represents a two percent decline.
Kidnapping and abduction offences fell slightly from 47 reported offences in 2006/07 to 36 in 2007/08.
The number of rapes and attempted rapes increased from 145 in 2006/07 to 224 in 2007/08. There may be a number of reasons for such an increase.
“People appear to be more willing to report historical offences to police. These are offences reported 10 or more years after they occurred. Thirty-one percent of rape and attempted rapes reported in 2007/08 were historical compared to eight percent in the previous financial year,” Assistant Commissioner Stewart said.
Arson has also declined by 11 percent, other property damage has fallen by 26 percent, unlawful use of a motor vehicle has fallen by 22 percent and other theft has declined by 11 percent.
“2007/08 has been a successful year in the fight against fraud. There was a six percent decline in the rate of all fraud offences. That pleasing result was built upon a 30 percent fall in credit card fraud, a four percent fall in other fraud and a 21 percent fall in cheque fraud.”
“Identity fraud has been isolated as a distinct category for the first time this year. Eighty-one offences were detected which indicates our message encouraging victims to report this type of crime is working. It is also a timely reminder that as we continue to conduct more of our daily business on the internet we must also remain vigilant of the information we give out and the websites we access,” Assistant Commissioner Stewart said.
Drug offences fell by four percent throughout the region and prostitution declined from 40 offences detected in 2006/07 to 27 in this reporting period. Weapons Act offences fell from 537 in 2006/07 to 497 in 2007/08.
“Sometimes slight increases in crime rates of certain categories are welcome. This year we’ve seen liquor offences rise by 29 percent and good order offences rise by 14 percent.
“What this means is that police are out there in the community, proactively targeting anti-social behaviour and making our communities safer for everybody,” Assistant Commissioner Stewart said.
Metropolitan South Region encompasses the three policing districts of Oxley, South Brisbane and Wynnum.
Note: All percentages used in the release relate to the number of reported offences per 100,000 people. Media seeking regional and district crime statistics from the Queensland Police Service 2007/08 Annual Statistical Review can locate details 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 today.
Media contacts: Minister’s Office – 3239 6218
Police media – 3015 2444