Published Thursday, 13 November, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Statistical insight into policing in the Northern Region
An 11 percent decline in assaults and a 16 percent decline in break-ins are just some of the positive crime trends in the Northern Region in 2007/08, according to Assistant Commissioner Clem O’Regan.
The figures are contained in the Queensland Police Service (QPS) 2007/08 Annual Statistical Review which was tabled in Parliament today alongside the Annual Report by Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport Judy Spence. The documents paint a comprehensive picture of the level and nature of crime reported in Queensland during the 2007/08 financial year.
Minister Spence and Assistant Commissioner O’Regan praised the results and gave special thanks to the members of the Northern 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.
“We are very happy to report double digit decreases in a number of high-volume crimes. It isn’t only unlawful entry and assault but also other property damage down 25 percent, other theft down 16 percent and unlawful use of motor vehicles down 15 percent. This demonstrates the success we are having,” Assistant Commissioner O’Regan said.
“It shows police are not only working harder but smarter. We are actively working with the community to strengthen partnerships and develop and implement crime prevention strategies aimed at maintaining our proactive approach to preventing and detecting crime.
“The decline in break-ins is particularly pleasing because it highlights the fact that people are responding to police calls to secure their property. By ensuring houses and businesses are locked and valuables are secured we, as a community, deter thieves and have a significant impact on crimes of this nature,” he said.
Home break-ins declined by 12 percent, shop break-ins fell by 42 percent and break-ins to other premises decreased by 14 percent.
Other crime categories that have seen good results include robbery which fell by six percent, fraud which fell by nine percent, drug offences which fell by eight percent and liquor offences which fell by 14 percent.
Kidnapping and abduction offences which include deprivation of liberty declined from 18 offences in 2006/07 to 14 in 2007/08. Weapons Act offences also recorded a four percent reduction.
However some categories have shown slight increases. There was one more murder in 2007/08 than in the previous year taking the total to seven. The number of armed robberies also rose with four additional offences taking the total to 39.
The number of instances of arson rose from 49 in 2006/07 to 67 in 2007/08.
The number of rape and attempted rape offences increased by 40 from 130 in 2006/07 to 170 in 2007/08. The number of other sexual offences also increased from 269 in 2006/07 to 548 in 2007/08.
“The public’s confidence in the Queensland Police Service continues to grow and people are willing to come forward with, what we term, historic offences. These offences are reported ten or more years after they occurred and this year they account for nine percent of these offences. In one instance, the number of sexual offences rose as one offender was charged with 125 offences. Similarly one victim reported 35 rape offences. This also accounts for the increase in the number of reported sexual offences,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner O’Regan stressed that while the rate of overall fraud fell by nine percent, computer-based fraud continued to rise from 151 reported offences in 2006/07 to 173 in 2007/08.
“We have seen positive results in the areas of cheque fraud with 13 fewer instances, credit card fraud with 42 fewer offences and other fraud with 49 fewer offences, but, when it comes to computer fraud people need to remain vigilant.
“The number of people going online continues to increase. We rely on the internet and technology for all kinds of transactions from shopping to banking and this has seen the emergence of a new type of criminal who seeks to gain this information for financial gain.
“Greater community awareness of the types of threats and scams, and increased public education has seen more people report these offences to authorities which has led to more offences being detected,” Assistant Commissioner O’Regan said.
There were 14 instances of identity fraud detected in 2007/08. It is now a separate category.
Good Order offences rose slightly from 4370 offences detected in 2006/07 to 4829 in 2007/08. This rise reflects targeted policing campaigns to crackdown on anti-social behaviour in public places.
There was one fewer prostitution offence detected in the Northern Region for 2007/08 pushing the total down to five.
Northern Region encompasses the policing districts of Townsville and Mount Isa.
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 figures are contained in the Queensland Police Service (QPS) 2007/08 Annual Statistical Review which was tabled in Parliament today alongside the Annual Report by Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport Judy Spence. The documents paint a comprehensive picture of the level and nature of crime reported in Queensland during the 2007/08 financial year.
Minister Spence and Assistant Commissioner O’Regan praised the results and gave special thanks to the members of the Northern 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.
“We are very happy to report double digit decreases in a number of high-volume crimes. It isn’t only unlawful entry and assault but also other property damage down 25 percent, other theft down 16 percent and unlawful use of motor vehicles down 15 percent. This demonstrates the success we are having,” Assistant Commissioner O’Regan said.
“It shows police are not only working harder but smarter. We are actively working with the community to strengthen partnerships and develop and implement crime prevention strategies aimed at maintaining our proactive approach to preventing and detecting crime.
“The decline in break-ins is particularly pleasing because it highlights the fact that people are responding to police calls to secure their property. By ensuring houses and businesses are locked and valuables are secured we, as a community, deter thieves and have a significant impact on crimes of this nature,” he said.
Home break-ins declined by 12 percent, shop break-ins fell by 42 percent and break-ins to other premises decreased by 14 percent.
Other crime categories that have seen good results include robbery which fell by six percent, fraud which fell by nine percent, drug offences which fell by eight percent and liquor offences which fell by 14 percent.
Kidnapping and abduction offences which include deprivation of liberty declined from 18 offences in 2006/07 to 14 in 2007/08. Weapons Act offences also recorded a four percent reduction.
However some categories have shown slight increases. There was one more murder in 2007/08 than in the previous year taking the total to seven. The number of armed robberies also rose with four additional offences taking the total to 39.
The number of instances of arson rose from 49 in 2006/07 to 67 in 2007/08.
The number of rape and attempted rape offences increased by 40 from 130 in 2006/07 to 170 in 2007/08. The number of other sexual offences also increased from 269 in 2006/07 to 548 in 2007/08.
“The public’s confidence in the Queensland Police Service continues to grow and people are willing to come forward with, what we term, historic offences. These offences are reported ten or more years after they occurred and this year they account for nine percent of these offences. In one instance, the number of sexual offences rose as one offender was charged with 125 offences. Similarly one victim reported 35 rape offences. This also accounts for the increase in the number of reported sexual offences,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner O’Regan stressed that while the rate of overall fraud fell by nine percent, computer-based fraud continued to rise from 151 reported offences in 2006/07 to 173 in 2007/08.
“We have seen positive results in the areas of cheque fraud with 13 fewer instances, credit card fraud with 42 fewer offences and other fraud with 49 fewer offences, but, when it comes to computer fraud people need to remain vigilant.
“The number of people going online continues to increase. We rely on the internet and technology for all kinds of transactions from shopping to banking and this has seen the emergence of a new type of criminal who seeks to gain this information for financial gain.
“Greater community awareness of the types of threats and scams, and increased public education has seen more people report these offences to authorities which has led to more offences being detected,” Assistant Commissioner O’Regan said.
There were 14 instances of identity fraud detected in 2007/08. It is now a separate category.
Good Order offences rose slightly from 4370 offences detected in 2006/07 to 4829 in 2007/08. This rise reflects targeted policing campaigns to crackdown on anti-social behaviour in public places.
There was one fewer prostitution offence detected in the Northern Region for 2007/08 pushing the total down to five.
Northern Region encompasses the policing districts of Townsville and Mount Isa.
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