Statistical insight into policing in the Far Northern Region
Published Thursday, 13 November, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Far Northern Police Region Assistant Commissioner Andy Henderson has congratulated police on their efforts in keeping the overall crime rate for the region static in 2007/08.
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 Henderson praised the results and gave special thanks to the members of the Far 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 have seen positive results in some key categories including the rate of break-ins which fell by 13 percent and fraud which fell by 27 percent,” Assistant Commissioner Henderson said.
There were four homicides in 2007/08 down from seven in the previous year.
While there were an additional six instances of robbery in this reporting period incidents of armed robbery offences fell significantly by 33 percent.
Rape and attempted rape, and other sexual offences rose by 20 percent and 23 percent respectively.
“Some of the increase in reports for sexual offences can be attributed to offences reported to police 10 or more years after they occurred. These historic offences show that people are becoming more willing to report these types of crimes to police.”
Of all sexual offences reported to police in Far Northern Region during 2007-08, 12 percent (or 108 offences) were of an historical nature. This includes seven percent of rape and attempted rapes offences reported during this period which were of an historical nature.
“The decline in break-ins highlights the excellent partnership that exists between police and the community. Police rely on the community to lock their homes and businesses and ensure that property is secured in order to deter would-be thieves,” Assistant Commissioner Henderson said.
“I think a 13 percent fall in the number of break-ins means that people are protecting their property and trying to make it difficult for would-be offenders.
“The Far Northern Region saw a 10 percent decrease in home break-ins, a 19 percent decrease in shop break-ins and a 16 percent decrease in break-ins to other premises.”
He said there were also pleasing results in other property crimes. The rate of other property damage remained static. The rate of unlawful use of motor vehicle and the rate of other theft fell by 12 percent and nine percent respectively.
“2007/08 has been an outstanding year for combating fraud in the Far Northern Region. Overall fraud fell by 27 percent which is an excellent result.
“This is built upon a 61 percent fall in computer crime, a one percent fall in cheque fraud, a 23 percent reduction in credit card fraud and an 18 percent drop in other fraud.
“With only 10 instances of identity fraud recorded in 2007/08 it is clear that this new crime category is not as prevalent in the far north as other areas however it is an ideal time to remind people of the need to be vigilant when conducting business and personal affairs online,” Assistant Commissioner Henderson said.
Kidnapping and abduction offences, which include deprivation of liberty, recorded a slight fall. There were two fewer instances reported in 2007/08.
Despite these results, Assistant Commissioner Henderson stressed the fact that there are always areas for improvement.
“Unfortunately there was a five percent increase in the assault rate across the region,” he said.
“The number of arson offences increased by 14 with 85 instances being reported in 2007/08.”
Not all increases in this Review can be categorised as negative, Assistant Commissioner Henderson said.
“Targeted policing campaigns can have a considerable impact on the number of offences being detected.
“For example, a range of initiatives and crackdowns across the region targeting anti-social and drunken behaviour have helped make the streets of the far north safer. Some of the rises in the number of liquor offences, drug offences, good order offences and Weapons Act offences detected is an example of this,” he said.
The number of liquor offences rose from 1270 in 2006/07 to 1637 in 2007/08, while the number of good order offences rose from 5025 in 2006/07 to 5622 in 2007/08.
“There was a 32 percent increase in Weapons Act offences. Of this increase, 30 percent involved the detection of people in unlawful possession of knives. This can, in part, be attributable to intelligence-led operations in and around Cairns,” Assistant Commissioner Henderson said.
Prostitution offences decreased by one from 10 in 2006/07 to nine in 2007/08.
The Far Northern Region encompasses the districts of Cairns, Innisfail and Mareeba.
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 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 Henderson praised the results and gave special thanks to the members of the Far 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 have seen positive results in some key categories including the rate of break-ins which fell by 13 percent and fraud which fell by 27 percent,” Assistant Commissioner Henderson said.
There were four homicides in 2007/08 down from seven in the previous year.
While there were an additional six instances of robbery in this reporting period incidents of armed robbery offences fell significantly by 33 percent.
Rape and attempted rape, and other sexual offences rose by 20 percent and 23 percent respectively.
“Some of the increase in reports for sexual offences can be attributed to offences reported to police 10 or more years after they occurred. These historic offences show that people are becoming more willing to report these types of crimes to police.”
Of all sexual offences reported to police in Far Northern Region during 2007-08, 12 percent (or 108 offences) were of an historical nature. This includes seven percent of rape and attempted rapes offences reported during this period which were of an historical nature.
“The decline in break-ins highlights the excellent partnership that exists between police and the community. Police rely on the community to lock their homes and businesses and ensure that property is secured in order to deter would-be thieves,” Assistant Commissioner Henderson said.
“I think a 13 percent fall in the number of break-ins means that people are protecting their property and trying to make it difficult for would-be offenders.
“The Far Northern Region saw a 10 percent decrease in home break-ins, a 19 percent decrease in shop break-ins and a 16 percent decrease in break-ins to other premises.”
He said there were also pleasing results in other property crimes. The rate of other property damage remained static. The rate of unlawful use of motor vehicle and the rate of other theft fell by 12 percent and nine percent respectively.
“2007/08 has been an outstanding year for combating fraud in the Far Northern Region. Overall fraud fell by 27 percent which is an excellent result.
“This is built upon a 61 percent fall in computer crime, a one percent fall in cheque fraud, a 23 percent reduction in credit card fraud and an 18 percent drop in other fraud.
“With only 10 instances of identity fraud recorded in 2007/08 it is clear that this new crime category is not as prevalent in the far north as other areas however it is an ideal time to remind people of the need to be vigilant when conducting business and personal affairs online,” Assistant Commissioner Henderson said.
Kidnapping and abduction offences, which include deprivation of liberty, recorded a slight fall. There were two fewer instances reported in 2007/08.
Despite these results, Assistant Commissioner Henderson stressed the fact that there are always areas for improvement.
“Unfortunately there was a five percent increase in the assault rate across the region,” he said.
“The number of arson offences increased by 14 with 85 instances being reported in 2007/08.”
Not all increases in this Review can be categorised as negative, Assistant Commissioner Henderson said.
“Targeted policing campaigns can have a considerable impact on the number of offences being detected.
“For example, a range of initiatives and crackdowns across the region targeting anti-social and drunken behaviour have helped make the streets of the far north safer. Some of the rises in the number of liquor offences, drug offences, good order offences and Weapons Act offences detected is an example of this,” he said.
The number of liquor offences rose from 1270 in 2006/07 to 1637 in 2007/08, while the number of good order offences rose from 5025 in 2006/07 to 5622 in 2007/08.
“There was a 32 percent increase in Weapons Act offences. Of this increase, 30 percent involved the detection of people in unlawful possession of knives. This can, in part, be attributable to intelligence-led operations in and around Cairns,” Assistant Commissioner Henderson said.
Prostitution offences decreased by one from 10 in 2006/07 to nine in 2007/08.
The Far Northern Region encompasses the districts of Cairns, Innisfail and Mareeba.
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