Published Thursday, 13 November, 2008 at 01:37 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Overall crime rate reduction is good news for the Metropolitan North Region
Metropolitan North Region Assistant Commissioner Peter Barron today praised police in the region as official statistics highlighted a four percent decrease in the crime rate for the region.
“The crime rate has continued to fall throughout the region with offences against the person down by three percent and property crime down by eight percent. This is an excellent reflection of the efforts of police and the community and great news for the residents of the Metropolitan North Region,” Assistant Commissioner Barron said.
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) 2007/08 Annual Statistical Review and Annual Report, tabled in Parliament today by the 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 Barron praised the results and gave special thanks to the members of the Metropolitan North 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 have seen other sexual offences fall by 13 percent, armed robbery fall by 10 percent, break-ins fall by two percent and unlawful use of motor vehicles fall by 25 percent. These are all pleasing figures that demonstrate how safe our communities are.
“However, there is more work to be done. Robbery offences rose slightly with an additional 11 offences being detected in this reporting period. The number of assaults rose from 2443 in 2006/07 to 2644 in 2007/08, an increase of six percent.
“Incidents of rape and attempted rape were also up six percent. There may be a number of reasons for increases in this crime category including the willingness of victims to report historical matters to police or a small number of offenders committing many offences. Ten percent of these offences were reported to police 10 or more years after they occurred. Two offenders were also responsible for 38 offences committed between January 2005 and February 2008,” Assistant Commissioner Barron said.
The number of homicides in the region fell from five in 2006/07 to two in 2007/08. Kidnapping and abduction offences, which include deprivation of liberty, declined by 31 percent.
“Two results that are particularly pleasing to police are the strong gains we have made in break-ins and fraud,” he said.
“The rate of unlawful entry fell by two percent. While home break-ins rose slightly by six percent; break-ins to shops and other premises declined by three and 13 percent respectively.”
Overall fraud declined by 24 percent with strong results recorded in computer fraud (down by 10 percent), credit card fraud (down by 35 percent) and other fraud (down by 47 percent). The rate of cheque fraud remained static.
“Identity fraud is a new stand alone offence category this year. More people are conducting more of their lives online and this, combined with an increased willingness to report identity fraud, saw 1097 incidents reported last financial year.”
Assistant Commissioner Barron said this should serve as a reminder to people.
“Remember to remain vigilant while conducting transactions on the internet and if you do believe you are the victim of identity fraud, to report it.
“This is a crime category that relies on a strong partnership between the police and the community.”
Other pleasing results included a nine percent decrease in the number of other theft offences, a 45 percent decrease in the number of prostitution offences, a one percent decrease in the number of other property damage offences and a 23 percent decline in Weapons Act offences.
There were five additional arson offences recorded across the region.
“Targeted policing has ensured that the rate of drug offences has remained static while crack downs on anti-social behaviour have delivered a 13 percent increase in liquor offences and a four percent increase in good order offences. We believe that slight increases in these categories demonstrate that police are out there doing their jobs making our streets safe for community members,” Assistant Commissioner Barron said.
Metropolitan North Region encompasses the four policing districts of Brisbane Central, Brisbane West, North Brisbane and Pine Rivers.
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.
Media contacts: Minister’s Office – 3239 6218
Police media – 3015 2444
“The crime rate has continued to fall throughout the region with offences against the person down by three percent and property crime down by eight percent. This is an excellent reflection of the efforts of police and the community and great news for the residents of the Metropolitan North Region,” Assistant Commissioner Barron said.
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) 2007/08 Annual Statistical Review and Annual Report, tabled in Parliament today by the 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 Barron praised the results and gave special thanks to the members of the Metropolitan North 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 have seen other sexual offences fall by 13 percent, armed robbery fall by 10 percent, break-ins fall by two percent and unlawful use of motor vehicles fall by 25 percent. These are all pleasing figures that demonstrate how safe our communities are.
“However, there is more work to be done. Robbery offences rose slightly with an additional 11 offences being detected in this reporting period. The number of assaults rose from 2443 in 2006/07 to 2644 in 2007/08, an increase of six percent.
“Incidents of rape and attempted rape were also up six percent. There may be a number of reasons for increases in this crime category including the willingness of victims to report historical matters to police or a small number of offenders committing many offences. Ten percent of these offences were reported to police 10 or more years after they occurred. Two offenders were also responsible for 38 offences committed between January 2005 and February 2008,” Assistant Commissioner Barron said.
The number of homicides in the region fell from five in 2006/07 to two in 2007/08. Kidnapping and abduction offences, which include deprivation of liberty, declined by 31 percent.
“Two results that are particularly pleasing to police are the strong gains we have made in break-ins and fraud,” he said.
“The rate of unlawful entry fell by two percent. While home break-ins rose slightly by six percent; break-ins to shops and other premises declined by three and 13 percent respectively.”
Overall fraud declined by 24 percent with strong results recorded in computer fraud (down by 10 percent), credit card fraud (down by 35 percent) and other fraud (down by 47 percent). The rate of cheque fraud remained static.
“Identity fraud is a new stand alone offence category this year. More people are conducting more of their lives online and this, combined with an increased willingness to report identity fraud, saw 1097 incidents reported last financial year.”
Assistant Commissioner Barron said this should serve as a reminder to people.
“Remember to remain vigilant while conducting transactions on the internet and if you do believe you are the victim of identity fraud, to report it.
“This is a crime category that relies on a strong partnership between the police and the community.”
Other pleasing results included a nine percent decrease in the number of other theft offences, a 45 percent decrease in the number of prostitution offences, a one percent decrease in the number of other property damage offences and a 23 percent decline in Weapons Act offences.
There were five additional arson offences recorded across the region.
“Targeted policing has ensured that the rate of drug offences has remained static while crack downs on anti-social behaviour have delivered a 13 percent increase in liquor offences and a four percent increase in good order offences. We believe that slight increases in these categories demonstrate that police are out there doing their jobs making our streets safe for community members,” Assistant Commissioner Barron said.
Metropolitan North Region encompasses the four policing districts of Brisbane Central, Brisbane West, North Brisbane and Pine Rivers.
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.
Media contacts: Minister’s Office – 3239 6218
Police media – 3015 2444