Published Thursday, 13 November, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Crime rate continues to drop in Central Region
Hardworking police officers, strong community networks and an appropriate distribution of resources have helped to keep the crime rate static in the Central Region in 2007/08, Assistant Commissioner Ann Lewis said.
The pleasing statistics, which highlight a number of downward crime trends, are contained in the Queensland Police Service (QPS) 2007/08 Annual Statistical Review which, along with the Annual Report, was tabled in Parliament today by the Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport, Judy Spence.
Minister Spence and Assistant Commissioner Lewis praised the results and gave special thanks to the members of the Central 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 two documents present a comprehensive insight into the level and nature of crime reported for each police region and district throughout Queensland.
Assistant Commissioner Lewis said the figures reflected positively on the high standard of work performed by officers across the region and the community partnerships they were building.
“We have achieved overall reductions in offences against the person of 14 percent and a four percent reduction in property offences. Other offences rose by eight percent, however, some of this growth can be attributed to targeted police operations. The overall crime rate remained static when adjusted for population growth,” Assistant Commissioner Lewis said.
A 22 percent decrease in the number of robberies, a 31 percent fall in the number of other sexual offences and a 13 percent reduction in the rate of break-ins were among the most pleasing results.
“While we have made significant inroads into a number of categories, there are areas for improvement,” Assistant Commissioner Lewis said.
Assistant Commissioner Lewis cited assault (up by three percent) and arson (up by 10 percent) as two categories where progress could be made.
“We’ve also seen the number of rapes and attempted rapes increase by 19 percent, however, some of this volume includes offences that were reported to police 10 or more years after they occurred. It is evident that people are becoming more willing to report these types of crimes,” she said.
Historical offences count for seven percent of all rapes and attempted rapes reported in Central Region.
Kidnapping and abduction offences which include deprivation of liberty rose from 22 reported instances in 2006/07 to 28 reported instances in 2007/08.
There was one homicide in the region for 2007/08 compared to three in the previous period.
The number of armed robbery offences remained static. When population growth was taken into consideration the rate fell by two percent.
“The decline in break-ins is something we are particularly pleased about. This demonstrates that people are taking proactive measures that deter criminals, such as installations of alarms and security screens” Assistant Commissioner Lewis said.
“The overall rate of break-ins fell by 13 percent, home break-ins fell by 11 percent, break-ins to shops fell by seven percent and break-ins to other premises fell by 18 percent.”
Property categories which saw declines included other property damage and other theft which both fell by four percent. Unlawful use of a motor vehicle, however, climbed slightly with an additional 45 offences being reported.
Despite the overall fraud rate climbing by three percent, Assistant Commissioner Lewis said there were a number of significant gains made with computer fraud and credit card fraud falling by 18 percent and six percent respectively.
Cheque fraud and other fraud both rose by five percent.
“There were 12 reported instances of identity fraud in 2007/08. This is a new category of crime and highlights the need for people to be cautious when conducting business over the internet and ensuring they safeguard their personal information,” she said.
“With more and more members of the community going online to shop and bank it is important to remain vigilant. Remember if something looks too good to be true it probably is.”
Drug offences climbed slightly by five percent while Weapons Act offences fell by 19 percent.
There were six fewer prostitution offences in 2007/08.
Targeted campaigns aimed at clamping down on anti-social behaviour in areas such as nightclubs saw liquor offences rise by three percent and good order offences rise by nine percent.
“The slight rises in these crime categories are a clear reflection of the fact that the police are out on the streets making our communities safer,” she said.
The Central Region encompasses the four policing districts of Gladstone, Longreach, Mackay and Rockhampton.
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 pleasing statistics, which highlight a number of downward crime trends, are contained in the Queensland Police Service (QPS) 2007/08 Annual Statistical Review which, along with the Annual Report, was tabled in Parliament today by the Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport, Judy Spence.
Minister Spence and Assistant Commissioner Lewis praised the results and gave special thanks to the members of the Central 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 two documents present a comprehensive insight into the level and nature of crime reported for each police region and district throughout Queensland.
Assistant Commissioner Lewis said the figures reflected positively on the high standard of work performed by officers across the region and the community partnerships they were building.
“We have achieved overall reductions in offences against the person of 14 percent and a four percent reduction in property offences. Other offences rose by eight percent, however, some of this growth can be attributed to targeted police operations. The overall crime rate remained static when adjusted for population growth,” Assistant Commissioner Lewis said.
A 22 percent decrease in the number of robberies, a 31 percent fall in the number of other sexual offences and a 13 percent reduction in the rate of break-ins were among the most pleasing results.
“While we have made significant inroads into a number of categories, there are areas for improvement,” Assistant Commissioner Lewis said.
Assistant Commissioner Lewis cited assault (up by three percent) and arson (up by 10 percent) as two categories where progress could be made.
“We’ve also seen the number of rapes and attempted rapes increase by 19 percent, however, some of this volume includes offences that were reported to police 10 or more years after they occurred. It is evident that people are becoming more willing to report these types of crimes,” she said.
Historical offences count for seven percent of all rapes and attempted rapes reported in Central Region.
Kidnapping and abduction offences which include deprivation of liberty rose from 22 reported instances in 2006/07 to 28 reported instances in 2007/08.
There was one homicide in the region for 2007/08 compared to three in the previous period.
The number of armed robbery offences remained static. When population growth was taken into consideration the rate fell by two percent.
“The decline in break-ins is something we are particularly pleased about. This demonstrates that people are taking proactive measures that deter criminals, such as installations of alarms and security screens” Assistant Commissioner Lewis said.
“The overall rate of break-ins fell by 13 percent, home break-ins fell by 11 percent, break-ins to shops fell by seven percent and break-ins to other premises fell by 18 percent.”
Property categories which saw declines included other property damage and other theft which both fell by four percent. Unlawful use of a motor vehicle, however, climbed slightly with an additional 45 offences being reported.
Despite the overall fraud rate climbing by three percent, Assistant Commissioner Lewis said there were a number of significant gains made with computer fraud and credit card fraud falling by 18 percent and six percent respectively.
Cheque fraud and other fraud both rose by five percent.
“There were 12 reported instances of identity fraud in 2007/08. This is a new category of crime and highlights the need for people to be cautious when conducting business over the internet and ensuring they safeguard their personal information,” she said.
“With more and more members of the community going online to shop and bank it is important to remain vigilant. Remember if something looks too good to be true it probably is.”
Drug offences climbed slightly by five percent while Weapons Act offences fell by 19 percent.
There were six fewer prostitution offences in 2007/08.
Targeted campaigns aimed at clamping down on anti-social behaviour in areas such as nightclubs saw liquor offences rise by three percent and good order offences rise by nine percent.
“The slight rises in these crime categories are a clear reflection of the fact that the police are out on the streets making our communities safer,” she said.
The Central Region encompasses the four policing districts of Gladstone, Longreach, Mackay and Rockhampton.
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